JOHN LOCKE’S “TWO TREATISE OF GOVERNMENT”: THE PROBLEM OF MAN AND POWER

Abstract

The article presents the concept of man, his nature, essence and functioning in the space of social life, in particular political power, which was formulated by the outstanding English intellectual of the 17th century, philosopher, educator, and de facto founder of political liberalism, John Locke, in his main work, “Two Treatises of Government”, published in1690. It is noted that the book was written as a criticism of the royalist theory of man, his nature, essence, and functioning in the space of social life, in particular political power, which was formulated by another well-known English intellectual of the 17th century, philosopher Robert Filmer, in his main work “Patriarcha, or The Natural Power of Kings”, which was published after the author’s death (1680). The four main theoretical, methodological and worldview positions of R. Filmer’s work are highlighted, which J. Locke consistently reveals in the first book of his treatise. He begins his criticism with the ascending theoretical position of R. Filmer’s work, where he claims that man is not free by nature, because no man is born free. The second position of R. Filmer’s concept, which is cited and analyzed by J. Locke, tries to convince the reader that people obey their parents from birth, which means that the basis of human relations is “paternal authority”, which, as R. Filmer believed, traces its origin to Adam as the first man in human history who received such authority from God and transferred it to the patriarchs, essentially monarchs. Since this is so, the only logical form of governing the common life of people, claimed R. Filmer, is a monarchical state. And its perfect form is absolute monarchy. It is emphasized that in the process of analyzing the above provisions, J. Locke expresses doubts about their truth, because, as he himself notes, he does not find in his opponent solid evidence that they are legitimate. The article provides examples of such doubts.J. Locke’s own vision of the problems of man, his nature, essence and functioning in the space of social life, in particular political power, is shown, which is highlighted in the second book of his treatise, in particular in chapter II “The State of Nature”. The first, fundamental position about man as a free being is revealed, who, according to J. Locke, is equal among other people, and therefore by nature does not reside in the space of Filmer’s “paternal power”, “royal power”. In continuation of these provisions, attention is focused on J. Locke’s belief in the natural ability of people to unite among themselves for the sake of common interests, the satisfaction of which will ensure each person’s individual interests. Quotes from the thinker’s work are given that prove these views of his. The logic of J. Locke’s proof of the organic relationship between human nature and the system of governance as a civil society is shown, which the philosopher calls the best condition for a decent human life in the space of political power.