Inalienable Rights and Locke's Argument for Limited Government: Political Implications of a Right to Suicide

This essay argues, contrary to some interpretations, that Locke does indeed teach that men have inalienable rights, i.e., rights which they cannot irrevocably consent away even in civil society. This inalienable rights teaching is contained in his argument that suicide is absolutely forbidden by nat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of politics 1984-02, Vol.46 (1), p.80-105
Main Author: Glenn, Gary D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Civil rights
Civil society
Death
Government
History of medicine
History, Early Modern 1451-1600
History, Modern 1601
Locke
Natural law
Natural rights
Nature
Philosophy - history
Political philosophy
Politics
Self preservation
Slavery
Slaves
State of nature
Suicide
Treatises
United Kingdom
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Summary:This essay argues, contrary to some interpretations, that Locke does indeed teach that men have inalienable rights, i.e., rights which they cannot irrevocably consent away even in civil society. This inalienable rights teaching is contained in his argument that suicide is absolutely forbidden by nature. Furthermore, through the prohibition of suicide, Locke shows the limits of the individual's right to consent, and this prohibition is the indispensable logical and moral basis of (1) his argument against slavery, (2) his defense of the right of revolution, (3) his argument that men have some duty to care about their fellow men, and (4) his teaching that the legitimate powers of government are limited. This interpretation defends Locke against the harshly critical treatment which is now common. In particular, his teaching about freedom is argued to be superior to the currently influential teaching that one is free to do as one wishes with oneself, limited only by the equal right of others to do the same.
ISSN:0022-3816
1468-2508
DOI:10.2307/2130435