Starting with Locke

by Greg Forster

This title introduces students to the life, work and ideas of one of the most important thinkers of the Modern period. John Locke is widely regarded as one of the foundational thinkers of modern western society. His contributions to a huge range of philosophical debates are as important and influential now as they were in the seventeenth century. Covering all the key concepts of his work, "Starting with Locke" provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker. Clearly structured according to Locke's central ideas, this book leads the reader through a thorough overview of the development of his thought. Offering comprehensive coverage of the historical events and philosophical issues at play during this period, this book explores his understanding of faith and his contributions to political philosophy in his theories of natural law, natural rights and the right to rebellion. Crucially this book introduces the major historical and philosophical events that proved influential in the development of Locke's thought, including the violent social conflicts of late seventeenth-century England to which his political theory was primarily responding."Continuum's Starting with...series" offers clear, concise and accessible introductions to the key thinkers in philosophy. These books explore and illuminate the roots of each philosopher's work and ideas, leading readers to a thorough understanding of the key influences and philosophical foundations from which his or her thought developed. Ideal for first-year students starting out in philosophy, these series will serve as the ideal companion to study of this fascinating subject.

Genres: Philosophy

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2011

Reviews

[John Brackbill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever purchased a book because you know you need to read it, but you dread doing so? That was this book for me. If there was ever a time to understand John Locke's view of revolution and rebellion against the government and how that has affected our American experience and how we think through cultural moments like this, this was the time. But that didn't mean I had to look forward to it.

I have not directly read John Locke straight from one of his works, but Greg Forster compellingly introduces the reader to John Locke. This is no defense of or argument for Locke's views. It is a description and, at a few places, evaluation. Forster does (and rightly so) direct the reader's attention to just how indebted to Locke for religious toleration we are. He also rightly points out that Locke's view for when revolution is necessary remains vague and prone to abuse. The sharpest evaluation that Forster gives is on Locke's failure to anticipate a society that does not share agreement in the realm of specifics regarding the basics of natural law. What happens then? Forster says we have two choices. We can build upon Locke into the future or make a u-turn and experience pre-Locke history. Making a u-turn will lead either to a confessional-state model (one religious or quasi-religious viewpoint upon which to make policy) or a cynical realpolitik (no attempt by the state to justify itself morally).

This book is readable (No matter your taste for reading philosophy, this will be easier to read than previous experiences). It is also appropriately repetitive to drill home the main themes of Locke's views. In addition, it is incredibly applicable to what we are seeing around us. If you read with attention, you will be lifted out of our time and place (as much as that is possible) and given a view from above from the past; A view that seems suspiciously like wisdom.

[Majo García · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una introducción o un repaso de un Locke muy versátil, completo y sistemático.

[Brian Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher says that the "Starting with . . . series offers clear, concise and accessible introductions to the key thinkers in philosophy." Greg Forster lived up to this expectation in Starting with Locke.

He helpfully positioned Locke in his historical setting and then showed how his philosophy emerged through wrestling with the major issues of his day in England. According to Forster, England in Locke's time was politically tumultuous because the religion of the nation was tied to the religion of the rulers. As the rulers moved between Catholicism and Protestantism, the politics of England became bloody. Upon a visit to Cleves, a city in Germany that due to a strange confluence of circumstances practiced religious toleration, Locke realized that religious toleration, far from exacerbating political tensions, would ease them.

In his epistemology, Locke seeks to drive his readers to admit the limits of what they can know. Given this, people should be slow to impose their beliefs on others. This does not mean that Locke was not a Christian (though his silence on certain points have raised questions as to what kind of Christian) or that he did not believe the Bible to be revelation from God. He did believe the Bible was God's revelation. But he believed that natural law, rather than Scriptural revelation, ought to serve as the basis for a societies common morality. This obviated the need for a common religion.

The other major question that Locke addressed was who has the right to rule. He argued from Gen. 1:26-28 that all men are given the right of dominion over the earth. Contrary to divine-right theorists, Locke argued that no one could prove a heredity right to rule through a certain line of persons from Adam. Thus if all had the right to rule, then the investiture of that right in an organized government must occur with the consent of the governed, if only tacitly. This therefore underlies Locke's theory that rebellion is justified when a government violates its trust and turns from a government into a tyranny.

Forster closes the book by reflecting on the present political situation in the United States. Here he has two main concerns. First there is a great breakdown of moral consensus on issues far more fundamental than those Locke faced. Second, he notes a divide in American society between those who think of politics from a Lockean perspective (mainly on the right) and those (mainly on the left) who approach it from the perspective of John Stuart Mill. Forster worries that Americans will slip into a kind of confessionalism in which morality (from left or right) is imposed from a particular viewpoint or move into a society in which the "state may simply give up trying to justify itself morally." To avoid these Forster says we must find some way to "maintain moral consensus without religious consensus." Whether this is possible or not, he does not say.

[Lyndon Bailey]

Fascinating intro to Locke's thought. It is hard to imagine modern law, humanism etc. without Locke's influence.Particularly relevant to the modern era is the attempt to negotiate tolerance between competing ideologies (then religious) and the entire array of arguments in favour of tolerance.

Very very clearly written and such an easy read