3 Review(s)

Continuum’s Reader’s Guides are clear, concise accessible introductions to classic works of philosophy. Each book explores the major themes, historical and philosophical context and key passages of a major philosophical text, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of often demanding material. Ideal for undergraduate students, the guides provide an essential resource for anyone who needs to get to grips with a philosophical text. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government is one of the most influential texts in the history of political theory. It is a staple of undergraduate courses throughout the English-speaking world and continues to inspire and inform contemporary debates in political philosophy. This introduction to the text is the ideal companion to study, offering guidance on: Philosophical and historical context Sources and key themes Reading the text Reception and influence Further reading Table of contents 1. Locke’s Second Treatise in Context: The life and times of John Locke The political and philosophical context of the Second Treatise 2. Overview and Key Themes: The Second Treatise in Locke’s philosophy Key Themes 3. Reading the Text: Getting started – the problem of absolutism The state of nature Private property Patriarchal power and the family The origins of political society The Lockean state Conquest, tyranny and the dissolution of the state 4. Reception and Influence: Locke’s influence in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries History, religion and Locke - contemporary interpretations locks Locke, property and contemporary liberalism Notes Further reading Bibliography Index