1.)Political power: How does Locke define political power? How (and why) does Locke distinguish political power from the power of a parent over a child?2.)The state of nature: What are the characteristics of the state of nature in Locke’s Second Treatise on Government? How does Locke’s concept of the state of nature differ from that of Hobbes? What role does the state of nature play in Locke’s argument about the purpose of government and the limits on power that we can derive from that purpose?3.)Self-ownership: Locke argues that we do not have power over our own lives. We cannot commit suicide and we cannot give ourselves to another in slavery. Why not? What conclusions about political power does Locke derive from this premise?4.)Entering civil society: Why and how do people enter into civil society? What liabilities of the state of nature motivate the establishment of civil society and through what activity do they arise?5.)New understanding of the purpose of civil society: What is the difference between Locke’s idea of civil society and the idea of civil society in Aristotle and Plato? What is gained or lost from this new idea of civil society?6.)The supreme power: What is the supreme power in civil society? How is it established? What are its limits? What is necessary to preserve it?7.)Appeals to heaven: Locke refers to an “appeal to heaven” on a few occasions in the Second Treatise. What is an appeal to heaven?
