John Locke Property Rights - 2067 Words

John Locke: Property Rights Perhaps one of, if not the, most historically influential political thinkers of the western world was John Locke. John Locke, the man who initiated what is now known as British Empiricism, is also considered highly influential in establishing grounds, theoretically at least, for the constitution of the United States of America. The basis for understanding Locke is that he sees all people as having natural God given rights. As Gods creations, this denotes a certain equality, at least in an abstract sense. This religious back drop acts as a the foundation for all of Lockes theories, including his theories of individuality, private property, and the state. The reader will be shown how and why†¦show more content†¦The amount produced by any man should be kept in check by his level of destruction. For example, there is a big difference between the cutting of one or a few trees and the harvesting of an entire forest. Yolton explicates this by stating that, ... specific rights comes in conjunction with this restriction. Since ‘Nothing was made by God for Man to spoil or destroy, the property making function of mans activities ought to be curbed at the point of spoilage. If my acquisition spoils, I offend against the law of nature, since I have, in the beginning, ‘ no Right, further than my use. What is useful and is used has value and the person who uses them a right to them. The same rules are cited for land as for the produce of land. The making of currency as an unspoilable property and medium for exchange seems to have by-passed this limit all together. Inequality becomes rampant and as such an authority is needed to protect a mans property and the social peace. With the advent of money as unspoilable property, certain inequalities amongst men would develop. Those with less start to feel cheated and used. This is very dangerous for those with more, because with these inequalities, comes the danger of theft, or injury to property or body. It is for this reason that people enter into a social contract and appoint a soveriegn. The sovereign has the ability to protect those whose property is in danger, and will do so through the passing and enforcing ofShow MoreRelatedJohn Locke And The State Of Nature Essay1206 Words   |  5 Pagesequal and are born with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These well acknowledged rights originated from the writings of philosopher, John Locke. John Locke lived during the Enlightenment, a period where people explored to establish their natural rights in revolutionary acts. 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