Locke, Hobbes, Mill, Thoreau :: Politics Philosophy Sociology

John LockeJohn Locke explains the state of nature as a state of equality in which no one has bureau over another, and all are free to do as they please. He notes, however, that this liberty does not equal license to abuse others, and that natural law exists until now in the state of nature. Each singular in the state of nature has the power to execute natural laws, which are universal.I believe that Locke is correct in his analysis of the state of nature however Lockes surmisal includes many assumptions. First is the assumption of a system of morality, the natural law derives from a theory of justice, a set of rights. No one would have any rights at all in the absence of a moral code applicable to human being actions, nor would there be any standard of just punishment. Locke frequently uses the term rights and appeals to conscience and calm reason, all of which reflect his assumptions about justice and morality.For individual property to exist, there must be a means for individ uals to appropriate the things around them. Locke starts out with the idea of the property of person each person owns his or her own body, and all the labor that they perform with the body. When an individual adds their own labor, their own property, to a foreign object or good, that object becomes their own because they have added their labor. This appropriation of goods does not demand the consent of humankind in general, each person has license to appropriate things in this way by individual initiative.Locke then places a bound on this type of acquisition, a person may only acquire as many things in this way as he or she can reasonably use to their advantage. One can only take so much as one can use. Lock applies these rules to land a person in a state of nature can claim land by adding labor to it, building house on it or kingdom on it, but only so much as that person can reasonably use without waste. Locke then defines labor as the determining compute of value, the tool by w hich humans make their world a more advantageous and rewarding place to inhabit.Locke states that in order for a civil corporation to be established, the individuals must forfeit some of their rights that they have in the state of nature. This needs to be done so everyone can live together in peace.