Second Treatise of Government
Purpose
The purpose of this Extra Credit Discussion is to allow you to reflect some more on the ramification of John Locke’s moral and political theory, with regard to the notion of property.
Directions
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government, Chapter V (Links to an external site.). Please read Section 28 of Chapter V. of John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government.
Click on ‘Reply’ to create your Opening Discussion POST in response to the prompts below. In your post, please address the following:
- In Section 28 of Chapter V. of his ‘Second Treatise of Government’, John Locke seems to define the right to property as the result of one’s labor. But what about the ownership of natural resources? Do you think that Locke’s theory would allow for the ownership of land (or water, or air)?
- In Locke’s ‘acorns and apples’ example, what would happen if someone bought the land with the oak trees or apple trees on it? Does this include ownership of the acorns and apples then as well, even though then there seemingly is no labor involved? Carefully explain your reasoning.
Respond to at least two of your classmates. In order to respond to a classmate, open the classmate’s post and click ‘Reply’. If you agree with your classmate’s view, please provide an additional example to support his or her view. If you disagree, please provide a concrete counter-example. Please make sure to be specific in your remarks, and carefully explain your reasoning.