# Of Adam's Title to Sovereignty by Creation explained — Two Treatises of Government

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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