Research On Locke's Free Thought

John Locke,the British philosopher,is named "the father of modern western liberalism" by later generations,It can be seen that the importance of his view of freedom has been the consensus of the academic community.However,scholars at home and abroad are mostly interested in Locke's theory of freedom in his theory of Two Treatises of Government,but not in Locke's theory of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.In my opinion,Locke's real freedom theory in the theory of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is the philosophical foundation of his whole freedom thought,while the theory of natural freedom and national freedom presented in the theory of Two Treatises of Government are only based on this foundation.In addition,this paper holds that Locke's real freedom theory is in the same line with Augustine's and Descartes' s freedom theory,and the family resemblance of the three freedom theories lies in "Freedom for good".Not only that,Locke's freedom thought also has a strong limitation,ethics and purpose.This is because,no matter Locke's real freedom theory,natural freedom theory or national freedom theory,on the one hand,they are all restricted by natural law,on the other hand,they are all ethical and purposeful to achieve the goal of good or happiness.Finally,this paper holds that Locke's freedom thought is in sharp opposition to Hobbes' freedom thought,while the latter is the imaginary enemy of the former's theoretical construction.