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political reading of economics chez John Locke ... Read more

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Locke on Human Understanding, is a comprehensive introduction to John Locke's major work, Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Locke's Essay remains a key work in many philosophical fields, notably in epistemology, metaphysics and the philosophies of mind and language. In addition, Locke is often referred to as the first English empiricist. Knowledge of this influential work and figure is essential to Enlightenment thought.

E. J. Lowe's approach enables students to effectively study the Essay by placing Locke's life and works in their intellectual and historical context. The book provides a critical examination of the leading themes in the Essay, illuminating the main lines in Locke's thinking. Such topics include innate ideas, perception, primary and secondary qualities, personal identity, free will, action and language. Finally, E. J. Lowe examines the comtemporary work being done on this highly influential English philosopher. ... Read more

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An excellent introduction to Locke -- and to Lowe
John Locke was without a doubt one of the sanest and soberest souls ever to put pen to paper. Here philosopher Jonathan Lowe provides a fine and thorough introduction to Locke's greatest and most influential work: his_Essay Concerning Human Understanding_.

Lowe not only provides clear andsound explications of Locke's own views, carefully placing them intohistorical context, but also inquires into whether Locke's views can bedefended today -- and, perhaps surprisingly, finds that many of them aredefensible though perhaps in need of modification. And Lowe does nothesitate to add his own views where necessary, by way of suggesting how amodern follower of Locke might carry his philosophy forward in light ofscientific developments since Locke's day.

The result is more than anintroduction to Locke -- it is a scintillating volume that will be apleasurable read even for longtime readers of Locke. Lowe has a knack forpicking out the most interesting features of Locke's thought and presentingthem in a new light.

For example, I was quite struck by Lowe's remarks onLocke's "particularist" (Lowe's term) view of logic. Locke, ashis readers may know, was extremely critical of syllogistic formalism,holding that while reasoned arguments may indeed be put in syllogisticform, it was nevertheless ridiculous to maintain that the use of the formitself is what gives validity to an argument. As Locke famously remarked,God was not so sparing as to make men barely two-legged and leave it toAristotle to make them rational.

Lowe trenchantly notes that Locke'scritiques would apply equally well to the Frege-Russell variety of formallogic; Locke, very much like Brand Blanshard in _Reason and Analysis_, heldthat we reason by connecting terms through their _meanings_, which astrictly formal logic provides no way to do.

Lowe's remarks on this pointare food for thought not only on the matter of formal logic but on thequestion of what allegedly divides "rationalism" from"empiricism." Elsewhere in this volume, Lowe suggests that thefirm distinction between these allegedly opposite schools of thought cannotbe made out; and Locke was quite clearly a rationalist as regards knowledgeeven if he believed we arrived at all of our our ideas"empirically." That is, Locke clearly still has something to sayto the rationalist philosophers of our own day -- and through Lowe, he saysit.

And says it well: it is very much to Lowe's credit that, through hisown lucid prose, he has allowed Locke to speak so clearly. The reader ofthis excellent introduction will find Locke to be fine intellectual company-- and also Lowe, a clear thinker and graceful writer whose own admirationfor Locke is never explicitly stated but is nevertheless obvious throughthe keen sympathy of his presentation.

All in all, then, a delightfulvolume very much in the Lockean spirit. ... Read more

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John Locke (1632-1704) is widely regarded as one of the most influential of the Enlightenment philosophers. This volume, edited by J. W. Adamson and published as a second edition in 1922, contains two of John Locke's essays concerning education; Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1693) and Of the Conduct of the Understanding (1706). Some Thoughts Concerning Education expands on Locke's pioneering theory of mind by explaining how to educate a child using three complementary methods: the development of a healthy body; the formation of a virtuous mind; and the pursuit of an academic curriculum including the emerging sciences, mathematics and languages. Of the Conduct of the Understanding continues the theme of the earlier essay by describing how to develop rational thought. For over a century after the publication of these essays, John Locke's views on education were considered authoritative, and his work was translated into almost all major European languages. ... Read more

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John Locke's classic work

Works include:
An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding: Volume 1
An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding: Volume 2
A Letter Concerning Toleration
Two Treatises of Government ... Read more

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This book argues that while Locke's concern for the enhancement of individual autonomy, religious toleration, and constitutional government was indeed fundamental to later generations, Locke himself viewed the improvement of the human condition in terms of its relationship to the ancient Christian story. In particular, Locke's larger integration 'project' was to assist his contemporaries in their efforts both to recognise and to secure the greatest happiness. Locke, in other words, was chiefly interested in life beyond the grave, in salvation, and his recommendations for the reform of politics, education, and religion were all viewed by the author as instrumental to the chief business of humankind. Locke's universe was a God-directed one, where humans were set specific tasks and reward was contingent upon behaviour in this life. Locke viewed himself as a defender of the historical faith, and his work was devoted to broadening the opportunities for individual salvation. ... Read more

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This study provides a comprehensive reinterpretation of the meaning of Locke's political thought. John Dunn restores Locke's ideas to their exact context, and so stresses the historical question of what Locke in the Two Treatises of Government was intending to claim. By adopting this approach, he reveals the predominantly theological character of all Locke's thinking about politics and provides a convincing analysis of the development of Locke's thought. In a polemical concluding section, John Dunn argues that liberal and Marxist interpretations of Locke's politics have failed to grasp his meaning. Locke emerges as not merely a contributor to the development of English constitutional thought, or as a reflector of socio-economic change in seventeenth-century England, but as essentially a Calvinist natural theologian. ... Read more

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Most Representative Thinker in Anglo-American Tradition
John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690, it was the main political philosophical source that our "Founding Fathers" went to in writing the "Declaration of Independence" and in forming our government.I think you should know something of Locke to understand what influenced his thinking.His father was a small landowner, attorney, Puritan and his political sympathies were with the Cromwell Parliament.Like Hobbes, Locke attended Oxford Univ. and did not think much about the curriculum or his professors.Most of his education came from reading books in the Univ. library.Renee Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton's writings greatly influenced Locke.Like Hobbes, he took a tutoring job teaching the son of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and traveled Europe.His friendship with the Earl was beneficial in obtaining government appointments.During the political unrest in England, (1679-83) he fled to Holland because his liberal notions put him at odds with the government.

Locke writes the "Second Treatise of Government" to justify the Revolt of 1688 and the ascension of William of Orange to the English throne.The book argues against two lines of absolutist ideas.The first is Sir Robert Filmer's "patriarchal theory of divine right of kings; secondly, Hobbes argument for the sovereign's absolute power in his book "Leviathan."Locke argues that government emanates from the people.Locke's treatise rests like other political writings on its interpretation of human nature.He sees our nature opposite the way Hobbes did, decent and not as selfish or competitive.Man is more inclined to join society through reason and not fear.Man prefers stability to change.

His very important contribution to "law of nature" theory was his bias toward individualism.In state of nature, before government, men were free independent, equal enjoying inalienable rights "chief among them being life, liberty, and property."Where have you read that before?Property rights receive much attention in this treatise.Locke argues that government based on consent of man can still preserve freedom independence and equality.

His political writing had immediate influence in the world and influenced our founding fathers in their struggle against tyranny.He is an excellent writer and his theories are easy to understand by the laymen.As a graduate student of political philosophy, I recommend if you have an interest in politics, philosophy, or government then you must read Locke's "Second Treatise of Government"
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This book deals with problems raised in Locke's Essay concerning Human Understanding that remain of interest to contemporary philosophers.The main topics discussed are primary and secondary qualities, representative theories of perception, substance, real and nominal essence, abstraction and universals, identity and diversity, personal identity, and innate ideas and empiricism. ... Read more

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The text of the Letter on Toleration is included with interpretative and critical essays which consists of the most important critiques of the Letter. ... Read more

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A Timeless Call for Toleration
John Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration is one of the most under appreciated texts in the liberal tradition of political philosophy.When read in conjunction with his Second Treatise, it clarifies the relationship Locke envisions between individuals and the Lockean state.The subject of the Letter is specifically religious toleration, but his general argument for toleration is also applicable to issues of more modern concern.

In the letter, Locke argues that all religious practices should be tolerated unless they are a threat to the proper functioning of the state.Some specific practices are not tolerated - Locke perceives the Catholic allegiance to the Pope, at that time, not only a religious leader, but also an influential foreign political leader, as a threat to the state, and he believes that atheists cannot be trusted by the state, since they have no higher power to whom they can swear an oath.Locke does not tolerate these individuals, because of his (inaccurate) perceptions of them, but religion is still not the basis for their non-toleration.(In the sense that others who are inherently untrustworthy, or bowed to a foreign ruler, would also not be tolerated, regardless of their religion).

The toleration of some other practices is situational.For instance, a state that normally has no law against individuals slaughtering animals (for food, et al) cannot prevent a religious sect from sacrificing an animal, but if that same state, needing meat for its troops in a time of war, bans all private citizens from killing animals, then this ban applies likewise to the sacrifice of animals as part of religious worship.This is not a state of license, in that the civil government does not actively promote a variety of (or for that matter, any) religious practices, but it is a state of negative liberty, in which the state remains neutral to the religious content of religious worship.Specific sects or acts of worship can be banned if they are "prejudicial to other men's rights" or they "break the public peace of societies," but they cannot be banned on religious grounds.

Some critics have argued that Locke's Letter is no longer very relevant: he deals only with religious toleration, and religious toleration is widely accepted and practiced in the modern Western world.However, the historical context of the Letter suggests it retains its relevance.In Locke's day, religion was not the dormant issue it is today; rather it was the most controversial issue of public debate.Before Locke, toleration was just something the underdog wished for in order to survive until he gained power over everyone else.Locke, however, goes beyond this pettiness and creates a theoretical defense of toleration as an extension of his political theory.While Locke probably did not imagine the controversial issues of political debate today, the broad basis for his defense of religious toleration implicitly justifies other sorts of social toleration in the modern world.

If a state is created for the purposes and by the methods Locke suggests in his Second Treatise, then the men who consent to form such a state retain a significant negative liberty of belief and action.Any of these beliefs or actions must be tolerated by the state unless they fail Locke's criteria for religious toleration, namely, unless they are "prejudicial to other men's rights" or they "break the public peace of societies."

This Routledge edition uses the original William Popple translation of Locke's Letter (which Locke published in Latin).Locke claimed that Popple undertook this translation without his permission, though the editors in this edition question the truth of this claim.In any case, the translation is at times more "radical" than Locke's original text.Horton and Mendus have also included a collection of essays written in response to Locke's letter that examine the relationship between the Letter and the Treatises and the modern relevance of Locke's argument for toleration.The need for toleration is as great in our own time as it was in John Locke's, and his contribution to the debate is likewise as valuable now as it was then. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars.
The Age of Enlightenment profoundly enriched religious and philosophical understanding and continues to influence present-day thinking. Works collected here include masterpieces by David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as religious sermons and moral debates on the issues of the day, such as the slave trade. The Age of Reason saw conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism transformed into one between faith and logic -- a debate that continues in the twenty-first century.
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The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification:
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Bodleian Library (Oxford)

T179629



London : printed for A. Churchill; and sold by W. Taylor, 1721. [6],322,[2]p. ; 12° ... Read more

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The Rough Road is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by William John Locke is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of William John Locke then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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This title presents a concise and coherent overview of Locke, ideal for second- or third-year undergraduates who require more than just a simple introduction to his work and thought. John Locke is a clear and lucid writer who wrote on many subjects and founded many new schools of thought. Yet, while his work is not impossible to read, his thought is sufficiently subtle, complex and intricate that he can be agonizingly hard to follow, presenting students of philosophy with a number of difficulties and challenges. "Locke: A Guide for the Perplexed" is a clear and thorough account of Locke's philosophy, his major works and ideas, providing an ideal guide to the important and complex thought of this key philosopher. The book covers the whole range of Locke's philosophical work, offering a thematic review of his thought, together with detailed examination of his landmark text, "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding".Geared towards the specific requirements of students who need to reach a sound understanding of Locke's thought, the book provides a cogent and reliable survey of his life, political context and philosophical influences, and clearly and concisely reviews the competing interpretations of the Essay. This is the ideal companion to the study of this most influential and challenging of philosophers. "Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging - or indeed downright bewildering. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material. ... Read more

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This volume includes the major works of the British Empiricists, philosophers who sought to derive all knowledge from experience. All essays are complete except that of Locke, which Professor Richard Taylor of Brown University has skillfully abridged. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just the poor paper and printing make a difference
Excellent work done many many years ago, but still helpfull if you want to understand understanding.The empiricists is , in my view a code that I could do without. Locke had wonderful insignts, as early as 1630 in things we still can discuss.Berkeley and Hume did several things on their own, but it is good to have the esssential ideas all together in one book.
Only the poor presentation rests merits to the publisher, but give it a try, speciall y in this price.

Works for me
A comprehensive collection of their writings under the cover of one handy volume. Light in weight - heavy in content, but you get the data directly from these philosophers themselves for this is their original material. Makes you feel like a serious student of philosphy and the effort used to duplicate them will serve you well in your future ponderings.An important collection and a must if you wish to study the GREAT EMPERICISTS. ... Read more

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Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

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Peter Anstey presents a thorough and innovative study of John Locke's views on the method and content of natural philosophy. Focusing on Locke's Essay concerning Human Understanding, but also drawing extensively from his other writings and manuscript remains, Anstey argues that Locke was an advocate of the Experimental Philosophy: the new approach to natural philosophy championed by Robert Boyle and the early Royal Society who were opposed to speculative philosophy.

On the question of method, Anstey shows how Locke's pessimism about the prospects for a demonstrative science of nature led him, in the Essay, to promote Francis Bacon's method of natural history, and to downplay the value of hypotheses and analogical reasoning in science. But, according to Anstey, Locke never abandoned the ideal of a demonstrative natural philosophy, for he believed that if we could discover the primary qualities of the tiny corpuscles that constitute material bodies, we could then establish a kind of corpuscular metric that would allow us a genuine science of nature. It was only after the publication of the Essay, however, that Locke came to realize that Newton's Principia provided a model for the role of demonstrative reasoning in science based on principles established upon observation, and this led him to make significant revisions to his views in the 1690s.

On the content of Locke's natural philosophy, it is argued that even though Locke adhered to the Experimental Philosophy, he was not averse to speculation about the corpuscular nature of matter. Anstey takes us into new terrain and new interpretations of Locke's thought in his explorations of his mercurialist transmutational chymistry, his theory of generation by seminal principles, and his conventionalism about species. ... Read more

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Philip Vogt reassesses specific aspects of Lockean rhetoric: the theory and use of analogy, the characteristic tropes, the topoi that connected Locke with his original and later audiences. ... Read more