The Puritan Cultural Dimension Of Locke's Property Theory

John Locke’s political theory is of great significance in Western thought history.Property theory is the key concern to Locke’s political theory.While Locke’s emphasis on property as a right has been highlighted by literature,his emphasis on property as an obligation is gradually overlooked.Underneath his secular tone of argument,there is a religious dimension in Locke’s property theory.This religious dimension is exhibited by Puritanism in Locke’s property theory and by Locke’s concern on property as an obligation.Puritanism,in sixteenth and seventeenth century Britain,was not only a momentous historical event,but also an important socio-cultural phenomenon.Deep into secular life,Puritanism not only aimed at purifying Church of England and transforming the soul,but also showed concern about social and political issues.Consequently,Puritanism had a huge influence on three main aspects:theology,ethics and politics.It is on these three aspects that the relation of Locke’s theory to Puritanism is embodied.First,the fundamental difference between Puritanism theology and Catholics theology is that Puritanism embraces individuality.Puritans are faced with God without any intermediate,in the heart,they assume responsibility directly for God and follow the guidance of God.Locke’s property theory is premised on natural law,and Locke’s natural law can be understood only in the context of Puritanism theology.Second,Puritanism values moral conscience.Puritans value humbleness,honesty,diligence,thriftiness and so on.For Puritans,labor is a calling and embodies moral conscience.Influenced by Puritanism,Locke points out that the right of property derives from labor,and a possessor of property should adhere to moral conscience that Puritans value.Third,Puritanism maintains limitation of kingship arnd political freedom.To safeguard the right of property,Locke not only elaborates the principle of separation of powers and rule of law,but also justifies the right of revolution and separation of church and state,which are also influenced by political thought of Puritanism.The Puritanical influence contributes to a fundamental deficiency in Locke’s property theory;namely,Locke neglects the social aspect of property.In this aspect,on one hand,Locke’s property theory is radically different from that of Catholicism.On the other hand,the later discourse of Hegel and Carl Marx on property issue responds critically to Locke’s property theory to some degree.At last,in modern times,the social obligation of property has become a trend,and reflecting on Locke’s property theory through the lens of Puritanical obligation provides us with a helpful resource to treat the obligation of property.