Locke asserts that all people are naturally equal and free, and therefore, no one has the right to infringe upon another's fundamental rights to life, well-being, freedom, or property. This forms the basis of natural rights, crucial for a just society.
Quote by John Locke: “All mankind… being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
All mankind… being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.
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Historical Context
Written in the aftermath of England's Glorious Revolution, Two Treatises of Government provided a philosophical justification for constitutional government and individual rights, influencing revolutionary thought across the world.
About the Author
English philosopher born in 1632, one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His Two Treatises of Government argued that legitimate political authority requires consent of the governed, directly influencing the American and French revolutions. His Essay Concerning Human Understanding laid foundations for modern epistemology and empiricist philosophy.
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