John Locke

Natural Rights Philosophy - John

Locke's political philosophy

• Locke was very

critical of the British
Monarchy – “AS
PEOPLE ARE
WALKING ALL THE
TIME, IN THE SAME
SPOT, A PATH
APPEARS.” John
Locke
• Supreme Being gives
everyone natural rights -
life, liberty and property
• “ALL MANKIND... BEING
ALL EQUAL AND
INDEPENDENT, NO ONE
OUGHT TO HARM ANOTHER
IN HIS LIFE, HEALTH,
LIBERTY OR
POSSESSIONS.”
John Locke
• No person or persons shall
take anyone's natural
rights……Unless they
consent.
Do we need government?
• Locke believed that Government was
needed to protect everyone's natural
rights.
• The reason why men enter into society
is the preservation of their property.
 Locke uses a state of nature to explain what
life would be like without a Gov.

• What would happen? • “ALL MEN ARE

LIABLE TO ERROR;
AND MOST MEN ARE,
IN MANY POINTS, BY
PASSION OR
INTEREST, UNDER
TEMPTATION TO IT.”
John Locke
• Locke believed
that Government was
needed to protect
everyone's natural
rights.
• The reason why
men enter into society
is the preservation of
their property.