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.

"This is one of the most significant contributions to Locke studies in the twentieth century.

The influence of John Locke's thought in Europe and America rests largely on his articulation and defence of a liberal political philosophy, and in his formulation of a theory of knowledge where experience and environment provide the exclusive starting points in the educational process. Generally he continues to be associated with the eighteenth-century 'Age of Reason' or Enlightenment, where the malleability of human nature, together with the inherent dignity and freedom of the individual, were placed at the forefront of reform (...) efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. This book argues that while Locke's concern for the enhancement of individual autonomy, religious toleration, and constitutional government was indeed fundamental to later generations, Locke himself viewed the improvement of the human condition in terms of its relationship to the ancient Christian story. In particular, Locke's larger integration 'project' was to assist his contemporaries in their efforts both to recognise and to secure the greatest happiness. Locke, in other words, was chiefly interested in life beyond the grave, in salvation, and his recommendations for the reform of politics, education and religion were all viewed by the author as instrumental to the chief business of humankind. Locke's universe was a God-directed one, where human's were set specific tasks and where reward was contingent upon behaviour in this life. Locke viewed himself as a defender of the historical faith, and his work was devoted to broadening the opportunities for individual salvation. (shrink)

A major account of the development of the political, religious, social and moral thought of John Locke.

Nicholas Wolterstorff discusses the ethics of belief which Locke developed in Book IV of his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, where Locke finally argued his overarching aim: how we ought to govern our belief, especially on matters of religion and morality. Wolterstorff shows that this concern was instigated by the collapse, in Locke's day, of a once-unified moral and religious tradition in Europe into warring factions. His was thus a culturally and socially engaged epistemology. This view of Locke invites a new (...) interpretation of the origins of modern philosophy. He maintained that instead of following tradition we ought to let 'reason be our guide.' Accordingly, after discussing Hume's powerful attack on Locke's recommended practice, Wolterstorff argues for Locke's originality and emphasizes his contribution to the 'modernity' of post-sixteenth-century philosophy. (shrink)

This project examines the development of arguments concerning religious toleration, liberty of conscience, and religious dissent in seventeenth-century England and early colonial America. Employing a contextualist method to situate issues of toleration and dissent firmly within their specific historical and political perspectives, I focus on four cases. Two of these studies investigate religious dissent in the colonies, considering first-generation Massachusetts and Pennsylvania . The other two cases address important periods in the history of English religious and political thought: the Civil (...) Wars and Protectorate , and the Exclusion Crisis and Glorious Revolution . ;Religious toleration represents a central element of the liberal democratic tradition as well as a bedrock value in Anglo-American constitutionalism, and this project seeks to provide a historically-grounded understanding of its evolution and development. I also draw out comparative insights suggested by the cases, including the importance of political context, the fear of anarchy, the ambiguous relationship between skepticism and toleration, and the important but highly nuanced relationship between religious extremism and religious liberty. In closing, I reflect upon the broader importance of early modern political thought to enduring questions of political thought and practice. I consider the tension between much contemporary liberal theory and religion , the relevance of conscience-based justifications of individual freedom for contemporary identity-based politics, and the role of individual tolerance or intolerance in fostering of individual freedom. The result is a historically-grounded project that both sheds light on the development of early liberal political thought and speaks to recurrent issues in religion, politics, and political theory. (shrink)