Two Treatises of Government · Chapter
Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28 explained
Locke examines Filmer's argument that Adam received monarchical sovereignty over the world and private dominion over all creatures through God's donation in Genesis 1:28.
What happens
Locke examines Filmer's argument that Adam received monarchical sovereignty over the world and private dominion over all creatures through God's donation in Genesis 1:28. Locke argues that the grant was made to all mankind in common, not to Adam alone, and that even if Adam had private property, it would not give him political power over others. He also critiques Filmer's attempt to deny the community granted to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9.
Themes in this chapter
Property and Labor
Locke distinguishes between private dominion (property) and political sovereignty, arguing that property in land does not give power over persons.
Critique of Patriarchalism and Divine Right
Locke systematically refutes Filmer's claim that Adam's donation from God established monarchical rule over all mankind.
Natural Rights and Liberty
Locke asserts that God gave the earth to all mankind in common, implying a natural right to subsistence and liberty from arbitrary power.
Characters to notice
- Adam
Locke argues that Adam was not made monarch by the donation in Gen. 1:28; the grant was to all mankind.
- Sir Robert Filmer
Filmer claims Adam's sovereignty by donation; Locke refutes this interpretation.
- Mr. Selden
Selden's view that Adam was made 'general lord of all things' is cited by Filmer; Locke distinguishes Selden's property-based interpretation from Filmer's monarchical claim.
- Noah
Locke compares the grant to Noah in Gen. 9:1-3, arguing it was given to Noah and his sons in common, not as private dominion.
- Eve
Locke notes that Eve was not yet created at the time of the Gen. 1:28 grant, further showing the grant was to the species, not Adam alone.
Key passages
“Our author tells us in the words of Mr. Selden, that 'Adam by donation from God, Gen. 1:28, was made the general lord of all things, not without such a private dominion to himself, as without his grant did exclude his children.'”
Filmer, citing Selden, claims that God's grant in Genesis 1:28 made Adam the universal lord with exclusive private ownership that excluded his children.
Locke sets up the argument he will refute: that Adam's donation gave him both property and monarchy.
“In opposition, therefore, to our author's doctrine, that 'Adam was monarch of the whole world,' founded on this place I shall show, That by this grant, Gen. 1:28, God gave no immediate power to Adam over men, over his children, over those of his own species; and so he was not made ruler, or monarch, by this charter.”
Locke announces his counter-argument: the Genesis grant did not give Adam any political authority over other humans.
This is the central thesis of the chapter, distinguishing divine donation from political sovereignty.
“The word 'them' in the text must include the species of man, for it is certain 'them' can by no means signify Adam alone.”
The pronoun 'them' in Genesis 1:28 refers to all of humanity, not just Adam.
Locke uses grammatical analysis to show the grant was communal, not individual.
“But we know God hath not left one man so to the mercy of another, that he may starve him if he please.”
God did not give any person the power to starve others at will.
Locke argues against the idea that property could justify absolute power, appealing to divine intention.
