1. John Locke and the Two Treatises on Government (1690)

2. John Locke English Philosopher
Son of a landowner and member of the British Royal Society.
Locke believed that people were a tabula rasa, or blank slate, and developed knowledge through experience.
He felt that society should be based off of secular laws not those of religion.
Humanity can improve social conditions.

3. Locke’s Philosophical Ideas
Locke believed that people engaged in a social contract with the government and have to give up some liberty for security.
But unlike others, Locke felt that mankind’s liberty stemmed from the laws of nature.
Those liberties included life, liberty and property.

4. Two Treatises on Government
Read the excerpt from Two Treatises on Government.
Answer the questions as you go.
Discuss answers with shoulder partner.
Be prepared to share with class.