Single Idea 19907

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / c. Natural rights]

Full Idea

Every man is born with a right before any other man, to inherit, with his brethren, his father's goods.

Gist of Idea

There is a natural right to inheritance within a family

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 190)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.214


A Reaction

If a child is fully grown, they may well have drifted into a state of partial ownership of the goods of the parent, of which it would be hard then to deprive them. It is hard to see this as a natural right of tiny orphaned infants.