Toleration and Government: A Letter Concerning Toleration, and Treatise of Government, pp. 24-33
John Locke: Portaiture provides some insight into the character of persons. But we have to use the evidence provided with some caution, as artists, like all of us, have agendas and experiences which influence what they see and wht they portray. Click on the picture of Lock at the left to visit a site with many portraits of persons associated with the devevlopment of Western thought. To see the wide variety of presentations of Locke's image go do the search engine http://www.altavista.com/cgi-bin/query?mmdo=16&stype=simage
and type in John Locke. Which of these was the "real" Locke? What do you think?
As I promised, I'm going to ask you to do some writing for me. This will be done outside of class. It won't be due until after Spring Break. The Assignment can be found by clicking the button below. I will activate this button on THURSDAY, March 15.
Read, in Idea of Democracy #8. "Freedom and Enlightenment, What is Enlightenment?" by Immanuel Kant. pp. 33-34
With Kant, the focus changes a bit, from Reason as a route to a good Society, to Reason as crucial in the development of the individual. Read him to understand thoroughly the metaphors he uses to clarify his thought. Especially important is his understanding of reason (or the attaining of it) as a process... a matter of becoming rather than having, perhaps.
John Locke should be less troublesome than Thomas Hobbes. We're going to take the two sections of this reading in reverse order. We'll look at the extractions from the Second Treatise of Government, pp. 80-89. The thrust of Locke's work is defining the limits of state authority. The Treatise presents its ideas in numbered paragraphs. Be aware that central to Locke's thought is the concept of the right of property. I suggest that the crux of the matter sits in paragraph 27, and the rest of the argument flows from this. Note, too, that the New World is making an impact on philosophical thought in the Old World. In the not-too-distant future, Locke's thought is going to have a profound effect on the political life of the New World (see paragraphs 222-225).
Immanuel Kant
For background and context for Immanuel Kant's thought, use the index to Greer and Lewis, looking up "Enlightenment" I'm sending you there this way to get you more used to using indexes rather than plowing through and reading everything. You will also find additional information by clicking on Kant's name, above. You can also click on his picture to the left for an elaborate site including links to other Kant sources
Catch-up time. The Snow Day needs to be paid for, and we'll make an installment by finishing up Winthrop (from the net) and Hobbes (from Idea of Democracy). Be sure you have a good grasp of the idea of the Social Contract.
ABOUT MID-TERM GRADES:
I don't give them, as a rule, except to those who have not turned in work. You will have your first papers back by the end of this week, barring unforseen circumstances, which should give you some idea of where you stand. Drop by during office hours ANY time you're concerned about how things are going for you in this class.
