John Locke S Politics Of Moral Consensus

The aim of this highly original book is twofold: to explain the reconciliation of religion and politics in the work of John Locke, and to explore the relevance of that reconciliation for politics in our own time.

The aim of this book is twofold: to explain the reconciliation of religion and politics in the work of John Locke, and to explore the relevance of that reconciliation for politics in our own time. Confronted with deep social divisions over ultimate beliefs, Locke sought to unite society in a single liberal community. Reason could identify divine moral laws that would be acceptable to members of all cultural groups, thereby justifying the authority of government. Greg Forster demonstrates that Locke's theory is liberal and rational but also moral and religious, providing an alternative to the two extremes of religious fanaticism and moral relativism. This account of Locke's thought will appeal to specialists and advanced students across philosophy, political science and religious studies.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. Excerpt: ...a general moral theory. The epistemological method is the same. Ideas are in each case instruments which reveal external things, and not mixed modes arbitrarily created. But while the moral rules in the Treatises were propositions which did not happen to depend on the idea of God as one of their elements, yet Locke maintained in the Essay that no general ethical theory could be stated unless the idea of God were included as the most important constituent. Consequently it might be inferred that though some rules, as those in the Treatises, were attainable without a consideration of God, most moral rules would be more closely connected with religion and the nature of God. 31 Of Government, 67. 32 Civil Government, 4. Also cf. 87, 95. 33 Idem, 25. 34 Idem, 135. 35 Idem, 25 ff. 86 Idem, 14. Works, Vol. VII, p. 133. Essay, IV, 10, . Cf. also Works, Vol. VII, p. 161. Locke sometimes used the religious sanction for morality in a way which, as will be shown in the next chapter, involved a break with his rationalistic ethics; that is, he made moral rules follow from God's arbitrary commands with rewards and punishments attached thereto. But there was no need for departing from the rationalistic position just because the idea of God was introduced. And he often utilized the idea of God, as he used the ideas of man, labor, equality, etc., simply as part of the material upon which reason is to operate. Reason cannot properly understand the relationships between objects, and consequently the true nature of morality, without taking into account the greatest and most powerful being in the world. From the idea of God as from other ideas, reason discovers moral principles. In 1681 Locke wrote in his journal that whoever "has a true idea of...

This convenient, accessible guide provides a systematic survey of Locke's philosophy informed by the most recent scholarship and covers his theory of ideas, and his philosophies of mind, language, and religion.

In this work, Ruth W. Grant presents a new approach to John Locke's familiar works. Taking the unusual step of relating Locke's Two Treatises to his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Grant establishes the unity and coherence of Locke's political arguments. She analyzes the Two Treatises as a systematic demonstration of liberal principles of right and power and grounds it in the epistemology set forth in the Essay.

Introduces students to the life, work and ideas of one of the most important thinkers of the Modern period.

This is part of a series which aims to make available essays in the history of philosophy. The book presents a collection of essays which explore John Locke's moral, political and legal philosophy.