The First Treatise of Government

Why do you think Locke uses the Old Testament to refute Filmer’s argument for the divine right of kings? How does his approach to Biblical interpretation differ from Filmer’s?

According to Locke, what is the relationship between fatherhood and government? Why does Locke devote so much space to fatherhood?

How does Locke use the Biblical story of Eve—and of mothers in general—to challenge Filmer’s argument for Adam as absolute monarch of the world by divine right? What are some of the broader implications of his argument, both politically and in terms of gender dynamics?

Where does First Treatise fit in the political context of late-seventeenth-century England? In what ways did (or does) the First Treatise influence the political ideals of later eras and political theorists?

Compare and contrast Locke’s arguments against divine-right theory with some of the arguments advanced by the republican theorists from the English Civil War. In what ways are Locke’s arguments similar or different from those of his predecessors?

Why do you think Locke’s ideas exerted so much influence on the leaders of the American Revolution? How do Locke’s theories relate to revolutionary theories more generally?

How does Locke regard divine-right monarchy as a form of government? What arguments does he make against it on principle, and why?

What is the significance of property in Filmer’s divine-right doctrine? How does Locke view the relevance of property to government power?