According to Locke, What Could Set One Man Above Another?
John Locke, one of the most influential philosophers of the Enlightenment, is primarily known for his theories on natural rights, the social contract, and the inherent equality of human beings. Even so, in his seminal work, Two Treatises of Government, Locke begins with a provocative premise: that in the "state of nature," all men are equal. That said, this equality is not a static state of identicality. While humans are born with equal moral status and equal rights to life, liberty, and property, Locke explores the specific mechanisms—primarily labor, reason, and the acquisition of property—that create distinctions, effectively setting one man above another in terms of social standing, wealth, and influence Not complicated — just consistent..
The Paradox of Equality and Inequality
To understand what sets one man above another in Locke's philosophy, we must first understand his baseline of equality. No one has a natural right to rule over another simply by birth or divine right. Consider this: locke argues that humans are equal because they are all the same species, created by God, and possess the same faculty of reason. This was a revolutionary rejection of the "Divine Right of Kings," which argued that some men were born inherently superior to others Practical, not theoretical..
That said, Locke acknowledges a crucial distinction between moral equality and material or social inequality. That said, while we are equal in our rights, we are not equal in our capabilities, our efforts, or our possessions. The transition from a state of perfect equality to a state of hierarchy is not a violation of natural law, but rather a result of human action and the application of reason That's the whole idea..
The Role of Labor: The Engine of Distinction
The primary mechanism that sets one man above another in Locke's view is labor. Locke’s Theory of Property explains that while the earth was given to mankind in common, an individual can claim private ownership of a resource by "mixing" their labor with it Simple, but easy to overlook. Worth knowing..
When a person takes something from the state of nature—such as picking an apple from a tree or tilling a piece of land—they have added something of their own to that resource. This act of labor removes the object from the common state and makes it the private property of the individual. This process creates a fundamental divide:
- The Industrious vs. The Idle: Locke argues that the "industrious and rational" man, who works the land and improves it, creates far more value than the "idle" man who does nothing.
- Value Creation: Labor is what gives most of the value to things. A piece of uncultivated land has little value, but a farmed field produces a surplus of food.
- Accumulation of Wealth: Because the industrious man produces more than he can immediately consume, he accumulates a surplus. This accumulation of property is the first step in creating a social hierarchy where some possess more resources than others.
In this sense, what sets one man above another is not a biological or divine mandate, but the willingness to work and the ability to be productive. The man who labors more effectively sets himself above the man who remains passive.
The Introduction of Money and the Widening Gap
While labor creates initial distinctions, Locke identifies the invention of money as the catalyst that exponentially increases the gap between men. In the state of nature, the "spoilage law" acted as a natural limit to inequality; one could only take as much as they could use before it rotted. You could not possess a thousand bushels of apples because most would go to waste.
Easier said than done, but still worth knowing.
On the flip side, the introduction of a "lasting thing" that does not decay—such as gold, silver, or diamonds—changed the game. Money allows for the accumulation of wealth without the risk of spoilage. This leads to several consequences:
- Unlimited Accumulation: Men can now acquire more land and resources than they could ever use personally by trading their surplus for money.
- Economic Stratification: This creates a society where some men possess vast estates and wealth, while others possess very little.
- Social Power: Wealth translates into influence and power. Those who control the means of production and the currency naturally ascend to a higher social position than those who do not.
Because of this, according to Locke, the transition from a common state to a monetary economy is what allows for "disproportionate and unequal possession of the earth," effectively setting the wealthy above the poor.
The Influence of Reason and Rationality
Beyond material wealth, Locke emphasizes the role of reason as a distinguishing factor. For Locke, the Law of Nature is reason itself. While all humans possess the capacity for reason, not all make use of it to the same degree or in the same way.
It sounds simple, but the gap is usually here.
The man who is "rational" is the one who understands the moral obligations of the state of nature—namely, that he should not harm others in their life, health, liberty, or possessions. The ability to govern one's impulses through reason allows an individual to organize their life, plan for the future, and engage in complex social cooperation.
Those who are more rational are better equipped to:
- figure out the Social Contract: They can better negotiate the terms of government and protect their rights. So * Improve the Commons: They apply scientific and rational methods to agriculture and industry, further increasing their productivity. * Exercise Self-Governance: The ability to rule oneself is a prerequisite for being fit to participate in the governance of others.
The Social Contract and Political Hierarchy
Once men enter into a Social Contract to form a civil society, the nature of "being above another" shifts from the realm of labor to the realm of law and governance. In a political society, distinctions are created by the roles individuals play within the system Worth keeping that in mind..
Locke argues that the purpose of government is the protection of property. In this system, those who hold political office possess a temporary authority over others. Even so, this is not an inherent superiority; it is a delegated power. The governor is "above" the citizen only in terms of administrative authority, not in terms of human value.
Crucially, Locke warns that if a ruler uses this position to act as a tyrant, they forfeit their authority. This reinforces his core belief that no man is naturally "above" another in a way that justifies oppression.
FAQ: Understanding Locke’s View on Inequality
Does Locke believe some people are born superior?
No. Locke explicitly rejects the idea of innate superiority. He believes all humans are born with the same basic rights and moral standing. Any superiority is acquired through labor, reason, or social arrangement.
Is inequality "wrong" in Locke's eyes?
Not necessarily. Locke views the inequality resulting from labor as a positive thing because it increases the overall productivity of humanity. The "industrious" man benefits society by producing more food and resources for everyone.
How does Locke's view differ from the "Divine Right of Kings"?
The Divine Right theory claimed that kings were set above commoners by God's will. Locke countered that authority comes from the consent of the governed, and any "superiority" in a political sense is a functional role, not a natural right.
Conclusion: Merit over Birthright
The short version: according to John Locke, what sets one man above another is not the accident of birth, but the application of labor and reason. The distinction between the "industrious" and the "idle" is the primary driver of social and economic stratification. Through the mixing of labor with nature and the subsequent use of money to store value, individuals create a gap in wealth and influence.
Locke's philosophy shifts the definition of "superiority" from a static, inherited status to a dynamic, merit-based achievement. By emphasizing that property and power are the results of effort and rationality, Locke provided the intellectual foundation for the modern capitalist economy and the democratic ideal that all men are created equal in rights, even if they are unequal in their fortunes. The "superior" man in Locke's world is not the one with the fanciest title, but the one who has most effectively used his reason and hard work to improve his condition and the world around him Not complicated — just consistent..
