Locke and Rousseau 169religion, his own, to stabilize and unify the commonwealth.
Locke calls for religious freedom and toleration. He bases his
thinking on several factors: 1) a true Christian will be tolerant of
others; 2) a state cannot enforce the beliefs of one religion on a
person who believes in another; 3) the state will be more peaceful
by tolerating different sects, rather than trying to impose compli
ance to a state religion; 4) the only role the state should have in
religion is restricting practices which are inimical to the well
being of the state or other citizens. Once again, Locke’s optimis
tic view of the nature of man produces a philosophy which
results, not only in common consent as a basis for governing, but
in religious pluralism.
Thus, Locke constructs a political system based on the moral
equality of all men, which bestows upon them certain natural
rights. The state is instituted by the consent of the people for the
protection of those rights, and exists with moral justification so
longs as it serves the desires and needs of the people. The
government consists of separate branches, each serving a func
tion necessary to a well ordered state. If the government ever
violates its sacred trust, the people are justified in changing
whatever offends them, and under rare and severe circumstances
are even justified in dissolving the government itself. The state’s
responsibility to protect life, liberty, and property is a part of its
obligation to the natural rights of its citizens. This obligation to
protect natural rights also requires religious toleration of differ
ing religious beliefs, while permitting regulation of religious
practices which threaten the public good.
John Locke’s life demonstrated the “basic goodness” he saw
in humankind. He tried, patiently and thoughtfully, to determine
the “ought” of political philosophy in the light of “what is.” He
died as he lived, quietly, peacefully, and well.
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Jean Jacques Rousseau was born in 1712 in Geneva, Switzer
land. His mother died soon after his birth; his father was a poor
watchmaker who read romance novels aloud to the boy. His
early youth was troubled and he had little, if any, formal
education. He was brought up by his father until the age of ten,
and then was left to an uncle who apprenticed him to an engraver.