Two Treatises of Government · Chapter
Of Adam's Title to Sovereignty by Creation explained
Locke critiques Sir Robert Filmer's argument that Adam's creation by God immediately granted him sovereignty over the world.
What happens
Locke critiques Sir Robert Filmer's argument that Adam's creation by God immediately granted him sovereignty over the world. He exposes logical inconsistencies in Filmer's claims, such as the confusion between Adam's creation and his fatherhood, the timing of God's donation, and the distinction between 'habit' and 'act.' Locke argues that creation alone does not confer political authority, and that natural freedom of mankind is compatible with belief in Adam's creation.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Patriarchalism and Divine Right
Locke systematically dismantles Filmer's claim that Adam's creation by God established his absolute sovereignty over mankind.
Natural Rights and Liberty
Locke defends the possibility of natural freedom of mankind, arguing it does not contradict Adam's creation.
State of Nature and Social Contract
Implicit in Locke's rejection of Filmer's claim that Adam's creation immediately established political authority.
Characters to notice
- Adam
Central figure in Filmer's argument; Locke examines whether Adam's creation gave him sovereignty.
- Sir Robert Filmer
Author of the patriarchalist theory that Locke refutes; claims Adam was monarch from creation.
- Eve
Mentioned in context of God's grant to Adam after her creation, challenging Filmer's timeline.
- Noah
Used as a counterexample: if possibility of fatherhood grants monarchy, Noah would be monarch at birth.
- Grotius
Cited by Filmer for the principle that right of government arises from begetting children.
Key passages
“A natural freedom of mankind cannot be supposed, without the denial of the creation of Adam”
Filmer asserts that to believe humans are naturally free is to deny that Adam was created by God.
Locke challenges this by showing that creation alone does not imply sovereignty.
“By the appointment of God, as soon as Adam was created, he was monarch of the world, though he had no subjects”
Filmer claims God appointed Adam as monarch immediately upon creation, even without subjects.
Locke points out the absurdity of being a monarch without subjects or government.
“He was governor in habit, and not in act”
Filmer argues Adam had a title to govern potentially, even if not actually exercising it.
Locke dismisses this as meaningless, since it implies having a right without any actual basis.