Single Idea 5654

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract]

Full Idea

In his second Treatise, Locke gave us perhaps the first extended account of the true logical consequences of Hobbes's contractual view of the state.

Gist of Idea

The Second Treatise explores the consequences of the contractual view of the state

Source

report of John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690]) by Roger Scruton - Short History of Modern Philosophy Ch.14

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'A Short History of Modern Philosophy' [ARK 1985], p.200


A Reaction

The issue seems to boil down to an opposition between the Cartesian and the Aristotelian view of the individual, with Locke following Descartes. The alternative, endorsed by Hegel, which I prefer, is that the state is part of human nature.