Abstract
John Locke, who was born in 1632, and died in 1704, was an English philosopher, a philosopher of the Enlightenment. His political theories founded what is called "liberalism". In his political theory, Locke is concerned with concepts that are specific, for example: the natural law, property, political liberalism, the hierarchy of powers, and the right of resistance of the people. His greatest works are, for instance: (1689) A Letter Concerning Toleration and (1689) Two Treatises of Government. John Locke is studied, criticized, and analyzed by many authors, and we will try to examine in this essay the view of John Dunn on the political thought of John Locke.
John Montfort Dunn, born in 1940, is a professor at Cambridge, and one of the best specialists of contemporary British history of political doctrines and political theory. His early reputation was based upon the careful reconstruction of the political thought of John Locke. In the book written by John Dunn on "the political thought of John Locke," Locke is considered in his context, both in the political life of his time, and the climate of British modernity. This book by John Dunn focuses primarily on the religious and theological dimension in Two Treatises Locke wrote.
John Dunn tries to deliver an overall interpretation of the meaning of Locke's work with a contextualized method. In this book, John Dunn also attempts to reveal the contradictions and the tensions in the doctrine of Locke. The purpose of John Dunn is to expose what is supported by John Locke in the central thesis of the two treaties, and not to criticize.
One thesis regarding the political philosophy seems to Dunn really interesting as a starting point for reflection in a debate of contemporary political theory as the topic developed in the Letters on Tolerance. Yet in the thought of Locke, this issue is closely linked to religious premises. And understanding the theories of Locke strongly depends on a variety of theological prejudices.
