# II: Of the State of Nature explained — Two Treatises of Government

> Chapter companion for Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

## What happens

Locke defines the state of nature as a state of perfect freedom and equality, governed by the law of nature which obliges everyone not to harm another in life, health, liberty, or possessions. He argues that in this state, every man has the right to punish transgressors of the law of nature for restraint and reparation. Locke addresses objections, asserting that absolute monarchs are not better than the state of nature, and that all men are naturally in the state of nature until they consent to join a political society.

## Themes in this chapter

### State of Nature and Social Contract

Locke defines the state of nature as a state of perfect freedom and equality, governed by the law of nature, which forms the basis for political society through consent.

### Natural Rights and Liberty

Locke asserts that in the state of nature, individuals have liberty to order their actions and dispose of possessions, but not license to harm others, as they are bound by the law of nature.

### Limited Government and Rule of Law

Locke argues that absolute monarchy is no better than the state of nature, as it places one man above the law, and that legitimate government must be based on consent and the law of nature.

## Character check-ins

### Hooker

Cited by Locke to support the natural equality of men and the foundation of mutual love and justice.

## Key lines

> a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature; without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.

The state of nature is a condition of complete liberty where individuals can manage their own lives and property as they see fit, limited only by the law of nature, and without needing permission from anyone else.

_Locke's foundational definition of the state of nature._

> But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of licence: though man in that state have an uncontrollable liberty to dispose of his person or possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, or so much as any creature in his possession, but where some nobler use than its bare preservation calls for it.

Although the state of nature is one of freedom, it is not a state of moral anarchy; individuals have the freedom to use their person and property, but they are not allowed to destroy themselves or anything in their possession unless a higher purpose than mere survival requires it.

_Locke distinguishes liberty from licence, emphasizing moral constraints even in the state of nature._

> And thus, in the state of nature, 'one man comes by a power over another'; but yet no absolute or arbitrary power, to use a criminal, when he has got him in his hands, according to the passionate heats, or boundless extravagancy of his own will; but only to retribute to him, so far as calm reason and conscience dictate, what is proportionate to his transgression; which is so much as may serve for reparation and restraint.

In the state of nature, a person may gain authority over another who has broken the law, but this power is not absolute or arbitrary; it is limited to punishing the offender in a manner that is proportional to the crime, guided by reason and conscience, solely for the purposes of reparation and restraint.

_Locke explains the limited right to punish in the state of nature._

## Links

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