John Locke's Definition Of Freedom

John Locke has a very distinct definition of freedom and freedom is the foundation of his accounts in Second Treatise of Government. He believes that freedom is the basis for natural state of humans, property, and the highest good. Locke was one of the first philosophers to consider the natural rights of women children and slaves. He states very early on in his writings, that all humans are characteristically in a state of “perfect freedom” which permits them to control their actions, determine their person, and think without the will of any other human. In their natural state, humans have perfect freedom, which is the ability to order actions as one sees fit. This capacity is given to all, and is an impartial state of equality. (Locke Chap.
The law of nature is within the human viscera and is based on the reason which provides humans with a desire to stay in existence. The highest good for Locke is rooted in the law of nature and is the desire for self preservation. To ensure one’s survival and preservation one must be free from the confinements of slavery. Locke’s definition of freedom and his notion of the highest good are closely connected and interdependent on each other. He furthers his statement by writing that freedom involving a government is “ to have a standing rule to live by, common to every one of that society, and made by the legislative power erected in it; a liberty to follow my own will in all things, where the rule prescribes not; and not to be subject to the inconstant, uncertain, unknown, arbitrary will of another man” (Locke Chap. 4, Sec 22). When discussing the freedom of children, he advocated for laws, but stating “Where there is no law, there is no freedom: for liberty is, to be free from restrain and violence from others; which cannot be, where there is no law… and therein not to bee subject to the arbitrary will of another but freely follow his own” (Locke Chap. 6 Sec