The Locke Reader
Selections from the Works of John Locke with a General Introduction and Commentary

This accessible volume comprises sections from a wide range of Locke's books, structured so that the interconnections of his thought can be seen and traced.

John W. Yolton (Author)

9780521290845, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 February 1977

352 pages
23 x 15.3 x 2.4 cm, 0.5 kg

John Yolton seeks to allow readers of Locke to have accessible in one volume sections from a wide range of Locke's books, structured so that some of the interconnections of his thought can be seen and traced. Although Locke did not write from a system of philosophy, he did have in mind an overall division of human knowledge. The readings begin with Locke's essay on Hermeneutics and the portions of his Essay Concerning Human Understanding on how to read a text. The reset of the selections are organized around Locke's division of human knowledge into natural science, ethics, and the theory of signs. Yolton's introduction and commentary explicate Locke's doctrines and provide the reader with the general background knowledge of other seventeenth-century writers and their works necessary to an understanding of Locke and his time.

Preface
References to Locke's books
Significant Dates
Introduction
Preliminary: Locke on Hermeneutics
Part I. The Science of Nature: 1. The definition of knowledge
2. Deductive knowledge and real essence
3. Observational knowledge of nature
4. Hypotheses in science
Part II. The Doctrine of Signs: 1. Two concepts of ideas
2. The origin of ideas
3. Word signs
4. Moral words
Part III. The Science of Action: 1. Character traits and natural tendencies
2. Action and the person 3. Virtue and law
4. Education as training for virtue
5. Social groups and the origin of civil society
6. Political obligation and consent
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]