Single Idea 19871

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom]

Full Idea

Liberty of man in society is to be under no other legislative power but that established by consent in the commonwealth. Freedom is not (as Filmer suggests) doing what you please while not tied by any laws.

Gist of Idea

Freedom is not absence of laws, but living under laws arrived at by consent

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 022)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.127


A Reaction

That sounds plausible if the consent is unanimous, but a minority is not free if the laws made by a large majority are a sort of persecution.