Second Treatise of Government - John Locke

"Where lies the boundary between Human Law and Natural Law?"

Reading/Discussion Schedule

October 1 - I-V; October 4 - VI-XII; October 8 - XIII-XIX

October 1

1. What did you find to be "radical" in this reading?
2. Why is labour the key to ownership of property?
3. How does labour increase value?
4. Are we our own property?
5. Is God our property?
6. Is there any connection between this work and Milton?

October 4

1. Why do we need ownership?
2. Why do we need laws?
3. How do laws relate to freedom?
4. Where is the body politic in Paradise Lost?
5. What compact is operating in your dorm?
6. What are the rules of community membership on the Internet?
7. Does money have value?

October 8

1. Where does power reside?
2. What is the relationship between power and the boundary between natural and human law?

Posters from 10.08.07

Nature 1, 2, 3

War 1, 2, 3

Body Politic 1, 2, 3

October 8

Write a one page analysis of one of the following  three statements from Locke's work. Your analysis is intended to explore the meaning and implications of your chosen quote.

"prerogative is nothing but the power of doing public good without a rule" (87)

"The great and chief end , therefore, of men's uniting into common-wealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property." (66)

"it is labour indeed that puts the difference of value on every thing" (25)