First Time posting and thoughts on John Locke

Hello to the blogging world!

This is my first post on Blogger, but, as cliche as it is, there is a first time for everything. Needless to say, I now understand what it means to be part of a blogging community! I am creating this blog is part of my Fall 2011 English 3204- 18th Century Poetry and Prose. Throughout the next several weeks, I will be commenting, reviewing, or analyzing the rich literary period that is the 18th Century.

For my first posting, I wish to examine an excerpt on slavery from John Locke's An Essay concerning the True Original, Extent and End of Civil Goverment (1690). Having witnessed the events of the Bloodless Revolution, Locke was very critical of and opposed to the theory of divine right. In chapter 4 of An Essay, he states that the "natural Liberty of Man" is to submit to the Law of Nature but to remain free from legislative authority of superior powers (262). Citing Sir Robert Filmer, Locke points out that every man has the liberty to do whatsover that pleases him, and no one should endure the arbitary rule of someone else. He argues Man cannot hold, grant, or take power over other human beings. Describing the practice of slavery as "between a lawful Conqueror, and a Captive", he states that a person cannot receive power over the life of another (263).

Although slavery in Britin would not be condemned until 1722, the anti-slavery movement was started by philosophers and writers, such as Locke, who supported the natural rights and liberty of man. This way of thinking marked the rise of liberal ideals in Europe during the 18th Century.