Originally published in 1960, this analysis of all of Locke's publications quickly became established as the standard edition of the Treatises as well as a work of political theory in its own right.

John Locke's Second Treatise of Government' (c1681) is perhaps the key founding liberal text. A Letter Concerning Toleration', written in 1685 (a year when a Catholic monarch came to the throne of England and Louis XVI unleashed a reign of terror against Protestants in France), is a classic defence of religious freedom. Yet many of Locke's other writings -- not least the Constitutions of Carolina', which he helped draft -- are almost defiantly anti-liberal in outlook. This comprehensive collection brings together the main published works (excluding polemical attacks on other people's views) with the most important surviving evidence from among Locke's papers relating to his political philosophy. David Wootton's wide-ranging and scholarly Introduction sets the writings in the context of their time, examines Locke's developing ideas and unorthodox Christianity, and analyses his main arguments. The result is the first fully rounded picture of Locke's political thought in his own words.

This is the standard edition of John Locke's classic work of the early 1660s, Essays on the Law of Nature. Also included are selected shorter philosophical writings from the same decade. In his 1664 valedictory speech as Censor of Moral Philosophy at Christ Church, Oxford, Locke discusses thequestion: Can anyone by nature be happy in this life? The volume is completed by selections from Locke's manuscript journals, unpublished elsewhere: on translating Nicole's Essais de Morale; on spelling; on extension; on idolatry; on pleasure and pain; and on faith and reason. The great Lockescholar W. von Leyden introduces each of these works, setting them in their historical context. This volume is an invaluable source for Locke's early thought, of interest to philosophers, political theorists, jurists, theologians, and historians.

Philosophy is one of the most intimidating and difficult of disciplines, as any of its students can attest. This book is an important entry in a distinctive new series from Routledge:The Great Philosophers. Breaking down obstacles to understanding the ideas of history's greatest thinkers, these brief, accessible, and affordable volumes offer essential introductions to the great philosophers of the Western tradition from Plato to Wittgenstein. In just 64 pages, each author, a specialist on his subject, places the philosopher and his ideas into historical perspective. Each volume explains, in simple terms, the basic concepts, enriching the narrative through the effective use of biographical detail. And instead of attempting to explain the philosopher's entire intellectual history, which can be daunting, this series takes one central theme in each philosopher's work, using it to unfold the philosopher's thoughts.

In this introduction to Locke's thought, E.J. Lowe covers all the major aspects of his philosophy. Lowe concentrates on introducing and assessing Locke in a contemporary philosophical setting, & explains why he remains so important today.