Introduction
Absolutism and constitutionalism are two very different political systems used throughout history to control and organize political power. Absolutism gives power to a single ruler, while constitutionalism is a system of government that limits the ability of the ruler by creating a set of laws and a constitution that must be followed. In this essay, the influence of Descartes’ absolutist philosophical thought on Locke’s thought on absolutism and constitutionalism in the Two Treatises of Government is explored. Descartes’ view of absolutism is discussed, as well as Locke’s views on constitutionalism, the link between the two opinions in the Two Treatises, and the influence of Descartes on Locke.
Thesis Statement
Descartes’ philosophical thought influences Locke’s thought on absolutism and constitutionalism in the Two Treatises of Government by providing a method for resolving theological disputes outright and a need to find lasting solutions to the problem of violence drawn out of intractable disagreement (Lungu et al., 2021). Seemingly drawing from Descartes, Locke argued that political absolutism gave the rulers ownership rights in their subjects’ lives, including their liberties and estates, hence a need for a constitutionalist way that did not elevate the rulers to the level of God.
Descartes’ View on Absolutism
Descartes believed that absolute power in the hands of one individual was the best way to ensure peace and stability, and he argued for the necessity of absolutism in his works (Longaker, 2022). He argued that a ruler should be able to make decisions without the interference or guidance of other people and that the ruler should be able to enforce laws and punish those who disobey them. Descartes also argued that absolutism was necessary in order to prevent religious and civil wars, as it would bring unity and stability to a society.
In his work Discourse on the Method, Descartes argued that a single ruler should have the power to make decisions without anyone else’s interference and that the ruler should have absolute authority over the people. He wrote, “a single, wise, and powerful ruler is far better fitted to preserve the peace and repress any disorders and tumults, than a multitude of men who are not all of one mind.” Descartes also argued that absolutism was the best way to prevent religious and civil wars. He wrote, “the peace of a kingdom is above all things to be valued, and is more to be esteemed than the most glorious victories.”
Descartes also argued that rulers should have absolute power over their subjects. In his work The Passions of the Soul, Descartes wrote that “the sovereign power should be absolute, and that it should be able to command anything, however contrary to reason, if it be judged to be necessary for the public good” (Longaker, 2022). Descartes believed that the ruler should have the power to override any laws or decisions made by his subjects and that the ruler should have absolute discretion in deciding what is best for the people.
Descartes also argued that absolutism was necessary in order to resolve religious disputes. In his work Principles of Philosophy, Descartes wrote that “the only way to put an end to these disputes is to recognize the authority of some one person, who, having the power of punishing the obstinate, may compel all to submit to his laws.” Descartes believed that the only way to settle religious disputes was to give one person absolute power over the people. He argued that this was the best way to end religious violence.
Locke’s Thoughts on Constitutionalism
In contrast to Descartes, Locke argued for a system of government based on constitutionalism, which limits the government’s power and protects the people’s rights. In his work Two Treatises of Government, Locke argued that the people should have the right to life, liberty, and property and that these rights are inalienable and cannot be taken away by the government (Liu, 2020). Locke argued that, for the government to protect these rights, it must be subject to the law and not be given the power to make laws or enforce them without the people’s consent.
Locke argued that the government should not have the power to take away its subjects’ life, liberty, or property, as this would amount to the government having ownership rights over its subjects. Locke wrote that “the power of the society, or legislative constituted by them, can never be supposed to extend farther, than the common good; but is obliged to secure every one’s property, by providing against those three defects above mentioned.” Locke believed that the government should not have absolute power over its subjects and that the people should have the right to life, liberty, and property.
The Link between the Two Views in the Two Treatises
Although Locke and Descartes had different views on absolutism and constitutionalism, there is evidence in the Two Treatises of Government that Descartes’ views on absolutism influenced Locke. In the Two Treatises, Locke argued that the government should have the power to go beyond the law in emergencies and that the government should have the power to override laws if it is necessary to protect the peace and security of the people, which is similar to Descartes’ argument that the government should have absolute power and should be able to override laws if it is necessary for the public good.
In addition, Locke wrote that the ruler should not be given the power to make laws or enforce them without the people’s consent which is similar to Descartes’ argument that the ruler should have the power to make decisions without anyone else’s interference and that the ruler should have absolute authority over the people. These two ideas suggest that Locke was influenced by Descartes’ views on absolutism, as they both advocated for a system in which the government had the power to go beyond the law in emergencies and had the power to make decisions without the interference of anyone else.
Descartes’ Influence on Locke
Although Locke did not explicitly state that Descartes’ views on absolutism influenced him, there is evidence in the Two Treatises of Government that Descartes influenced Locke. Locke endorsed the power of the executive to go beyond laws in emergencies, which suggests that he was influenced by Descartes’ argument that the ruler should have absolute power and be able to override laws if necessary for the public good. In addition, Locke argued that the government should not be given the power to take away its subjects’ life, liberty, or property, which is similar to Descartes’ argument that the ruler should have absolute authority over the people.
Furthermore, Locke argued that the government should be subject to the law and not be given the power to make laws or enforce them without the people’s consent (Schoenbrod, 2020). This is similar to Descartes’ argument that the only way to end religious disputes is to recognize the authority of someone who, having the power to punish the obstinate, may compel all to submit to his laws. These similarities suggest that Descartes’ views on absolutism influenced Locke and that Descartes’ views had an influence on Locke’s thoughts on absolutism and constitutionalism in the Two Treatises of Government.
Conclusion
In the Two Treatises of Government, Locke’s views on absolutism and constitutionalism were informed by Descartes’ philosophic ideas. Descartes asserted the need for absolutism and the idea that the ruler should control the populace to avert religious and civil strife. On the other side, Locke promoted a constitutionalist form of governance that restricts governmental power and upholds citizens’ rights. There is evidence in the Two Treatises of Government that Locke was affected by Descartes’ ideas on absolutism despite their divergent opinions on absolutism and constitutionalism. Locke argued that the government should be subject to the law and not be given the authority to make laws or enforce them without the people’s consent. He also supported the executive’s right to defy the law in times of emergency. Locke also argued that the government should not be given the power to take away its citizens’ life, liberty, or property. These similarities imply that Descartes’ absolutist ideas inspired Locke and that Locke’s Two Treatises of Government thought on absolutism and constitutionalism were affected by Descartes’ absolutist views.
References
Lungu, M. R., Urlica, A., FIRUNEGOESCU, A. G., & Suba, A. R. (2021). THE FOUNDING IDEAS OF ENGLISH LIBERALISM ACCORDING TO THOMAS HOBBES AND JOHN LOCKE. Agricultural Management/Lucrari Stiintifice Seria I, Management Agricol, 23(2). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=14531410&AN=151690128&h=VzY2%2BZD%2FyT27i9QaS21TgbjwomY2u5t2mXbNDzh3PA4UOqswrRN6BLw88QMueSnbebA7W8%2FVKDu5KLSwFFy7Zw%3D%3D&crl=c
Longaker, M. G. (2022). John Locke and the Paradox of Tolerant Disputation. The Practice of Rhetoric: Poetics, Performance, Philosophy, 178. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aZWDEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA178&dq=+locke+Descartes+believed+that+absolute+power+in+the+hands+of+one+individual+was+the+best+way+to+ensure+peace+and+stability,+and+he+argued+for+the+necessity+of+absolutism+in+his+works.+&ots=tOD5Yad028&sig=VtuaYdGzVP5oYbPrlqrMdOMgEGU
Liu, H. (2020). Natural Law as the Foundation of Constitutionalism. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 3(4). https://francis-press.com/index.php/papers/1578
Schoenbrod, D. (2020). Consent of the Governed: A Constitutional Norm that the Court Should Substantially Enforce. Harv. JL & Pub. Pol’y, 43, 213. https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/hjlpp43§ion=15
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