Second Treatise of Government

Edited by A. John Simmons, “one of our most distinguished theorists of political obligation” (Jeremy Waldron), the Norton Library edition of Locke’s Second Treatise of Government features the complete text of the sixth (1764) edition, which incorporated all of Locke’s corrections to previous editions. Punctuation has been altered and spelling modernized wherever necessary to eliminate ambiguity and make the text more readable. Extensive endnotes explain obscure terms and references and clarify Locke’s arguments. A thorough introduction situates the work in historical and intellectual context and, most importantly, traces its major themes and arguments to help readers approach “the greatest English philosopher[’s]” (Antony Flew) most influential work with confidence and understanding.