Book Cover of A Letter Concerning Toleration

A Letter Concerning Toleration

by John Locke

Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke was originally published in 1689. Its initial publication was in Latin, though it was immediately translated into other languages. In this "letter" addressed to an anonymous "Honored Sir" (actually Locke's close friend Philip von Limborch, who published it without Locke's knowledge) Locke argues for a new understanding of the relationship between religion and government. One of the founders of Empiricism, Locke develops a philosophy that is contrary to the one expressed by Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan, primarily because it supports toleration for various Christian denominations. Locke's work appeared amidst a fear that Catholicism might be taking over England, and responds to the problem of religion and government by proposing toleration as the answer. Unlike Hobbes, who saw uniformity of religion as the key to a well-functioning civil society, Locke argues that more religious groups actually prevent civil unrest. Locke argues that civil unrest results from confrontations caused by any magistrate's attempt to prevent different religions from being practiced, rather than tolerating their proliferation. Locke's primary goal is to "distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion." He makes use of extensive argument from analogy to accomplish his goal, and relies on several key points. The thing that he wants to persuade the reader of is that government is instituted to promote external interests, relating to life, liberty, and the general welfare, while the church exists to promote internal interests, i.e., salvation. The two serve separate functions, and so, must be considered to be separate institutions.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1689

Authors

John Locke image

John Locke

England

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "Father of Liberalism". Considered one of the fi...

Books by John Locke

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Bible (ASV) 05: Deuteronomy Cover image

Bible (ASV) 05: Deuteronomy by American Standard Version

Deuteronomy, meaning 'second law' in Greek, is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and the culmination of the Torah or Pentateuch. Authored by Moses, i...

Short Nonfiction Collection Vol. 013 Cover image

Short Nonfiction Collection Vol. 013 by Various

This collection of sixteen short nonfiction works explores a wide range of topics, including history, politics, medicine, nature, and religion. The es...

Selected Poems Cover image

Selected Poems by George Herbert

This collection of poems explores the intricate journey of an individual's relationship with God. Herbert's work delves into the personal struggles a...

Рассказы Cover image

Рассказы by Leo Tolstoy

This collection of short stories by Leo Tolstoy, intended for Russian language learners, presents a selection of his most poignant and thought-provoki...

Helle Nacht Cover image

Helle Nacht by Emmy Hennings

This collection of poems by Emmy Hennings explores the themes of love, loss, religion, and spirituality. Hennings, who was married to Hugo Ball, a fou...

William Blake Cover image

William Blake by Gilbert K. Chesterton

Gilbert K. Chesterton's 'William Blake' is a biographical and critical study of the English poet, painter, and visionary. Chesterton explores Blake's...

World's Best Orations, Volume 1 Cover image

World's Best Orations, Volume 1 by Various

This book is a compilation of some of the world's most powerful and influential speeches from various historical eras and backgrounds. It covers a bro...

Rubble and Roseleaves, and Things of That Kind Cover image

Rubble and Roseleaves, and Things of That Kind by Frank W. Boreham

Rubble and Roseleaves, and Things of That Kind is a collection of essays by Frank W. Boreham. In these essays, Boreham explores a wide range of topics...

Beacon Lights of History, Vol 1: The Old Pagan Civilizations Cover image

Beacon Lights of History, Vol 1: The Old Pagan Civilizations by John Lord

John Lord's *Beacon Lights of History* (Volume 1) delves into the world of ancient civilizations, focusing primarily on their religious beliefs and ph...

Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3 Cover image

Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3 by Moses Maimonides

The Guide for the Perplexed is a three-part philosophical and theological work by Moses Maimonides, written in Classical Arabic using the Hebrew alpha...

Reviews for A Letter Concerning Toleration

No reviews posted or approved, yet...