John Locke's Theory In Lord Of The Flies
Canadian cognitive scientist and psychologist Steven Pinker defines the neutrality within humans : “Human nature is complex. Even if we do have inclinations toward violence, we also have inclination to empathy, to cooperation, to self-control.” The novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, focuses on the transition in humans when there is little to no government involved, how one begins to adapt to their surroundings as a result when a group of stranded boys arrive as civilized individuals who unravel into savagery as an act for survival on the island. John Locke’s theories, in Social Contract, State of Nature,and State of Man, are able to relate to the novel as it does not label men as naturally evil nor does it blame government for man’s
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corruption like Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, respectively. Throughout the novel, elements of Locke’s beliefs can be seen through the boys’ creation of an ideal government and the different justifications of right and wrong by the two leaders, Ralph and Jack. Furthermore, there is the group’s changing behavior during their time on the island as well as the distinctive personalities of two main characters, Jack and Piggy.
Locke’s theory of man being born without any predetermined behavior, that the behavior is developed based on one’s environment, allowed him to be seen as an influential Enlightenment thinker. Locke was born on August 29th, 1638 in Wrington, Somerset, England. Due to his father’s service to England, Locke was given an advanced education, later in which Locke received a scholarship to Oxford, where he mainly studied medicine. However, he later became involved in politics and its philosophy from his friendship with Lord Chancellor Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. He never married or had any children and died on October 28, 1704 at the age of 78. His theory of Tabula Rasa, the belief that knowledge is based on environment and experience, as well as the right of property, liberty, and life make him known for contradicting the beliefs which state that the mind is already determined and later having influence of the United States Declarations of Independence respectively.
During his time, Locke’s privileged life may have contributed to how he viewed the State of Nature, Social Contract, and State of Man.
When it comes to State of Nature, Locke writes in his Two Treatises of Government,“...a state of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature...The natural state is also one of equality in which all power and jurisdiction is reciprocal...” (Lonang Institute; State of Nature §4). Men are freely allowed to do whatever is necessary as long as there are justifications for their actions and to see that everyone around them is just as equal as themselves. Along with his State of Nature is Locke’s belief of Social Contact: “individuals in a state of nature would be bound morally, by the Law of Nature, not to harm each other in their lives or possession… individuals would agree to form a state that would provide a "neutral judge"...an impartial, objective agent of that self-defense, rather than each man acting as his own judge, jury, and executioner...”(Social Contract-Wikipedia). In other terms, man must form a government that they entrust their lives with by giving them support and power, and in return, the government must protect the people from hurting one another by being the objective factor in the justice system. Finally, in the State of Man, Locke claims that “at birth, the mind was a blank slate or “tabula rasa”... born without innate ideas, and that …show more content…
knowledge is instead determined only by experience derived from sense perception” (John Locke- Wikipedia). In short, Locke believes that man’s knowledge and beliefs are not fixed, but instead, shaped by his experiences. His theories indirectly respond to Thomas Hobbes, who believed that man is naturally evil and must be protected by government and society, as well as Rene Descartes’ belief that man’s behavior and knowledge is already determined. Locke’s ideas contributed to the foundation of epistemology, the nature of knowledge as well as in the United States government, specifically his belief of rights in life, liberty and property on the Bill of Rights.
Locke’s view of democracy as the ideal government is seen through the group’s development of leadership when they crashed on the island.
After Ralph blows a conch, he and Piggy meet the choir boys for the first time and they immediately decide to vote for a leader as described by Golding: “This toy of voting was almost as pleasing as the conch. Jack started to protest but the clamor changed from the general wish for a chief to an election by acclaim of Ralph himself” (28). In this case, democracy, while in progress and decentralized, is used to declare Ralph as the chief on the island as most of the boys trust him having possession of the conch, which symbolizes authority.. Similarly, Locke believes the leader’s power must come from the support of the people involved and it is the leader(s)’ responsibility protect their rights without fear. As chief, Ralph must assume the duty of worrying about everyone’s well-being, survival, and rescue. In other words, Locke’s support in a democracy is reflected through the group’s decision on a chief to make the choices and keep them
safe.
Along with his political belief in democracy, Locke believes that common reasoning must be considered in every decision as seen by the different intentions of Ralph and Jack. During the first half of the novel, Ralph believes that the main objective is to maintain survival as well as find ways to be rescued while Jack, who conflicts with Ralph from time to time, believes that enjoying their freedom from society is more important than going back home. Locke claims that one is allowed to do as they please as long as it follows the law of Nature, which he believes is reason. Despite different perspectives, Ralph and Jack justify their actions for the well-being of the group by doing what they believe is necessary to survive. In the novel, Locke’s belief of reasoning in Ralph’s and Jack’s motive.
In Nature of Man, Locke’s theory in the mind’s “Tabula Rasa” is seen through the boys’ transition in behavior when they are left on their own to defend and govern themselves. Throughout the entire novel, Golding writes how the boys arrive on the island, coming from privileged backgrounds, are forced to adapt to the island in order to survive, resulting in their animalistic and savagery behavior. Locke believes that, while man is allowed to be whoever he can, they are easily influenced by their surroundings. As a result, their experiences are reflected in their character. In this case, the island, which symbolizes escape from civilization, corrupts the group’s innocence as children and adolescents, pushing them to do anything necessary to survive, which has shifted from society to reckless violence. In short, Locke believes that, despite one being able to define themselves, their behavior can evolve or devolve as environment plays a dominant factor, which is seen in the character’s actions in the entire novel.
Locke’s theory of experiences contribute to knowledge can also be observed in the characters, Piggy and Jack, and how their lives before crashing on the island plays a role in their personality. For example, When Ralph and Piggy meet each other, Piggy constantly mentions his aunt: “My auntie told me not to run...on account of my asthma...I can’t swim. I wasn’t allowed. My asthma—...I used to live with my auntie. She kept a candy store. I used to get ever so many candies. As many as I liked.... My auntie wouldn’t let me blow on account of my asthma” (9-20). Piggy’s environment revolves around his aunt’s word, dictating what he is allowed to do and what he cannot do due to the fact that he is limited physically by his asthma and weight. Similarly, Locke’s theory of the mind’s “Tabula Rasa” claims that experience becomes a factor in gaining knowledge. As a result, Piggy, despite being known for reasonable ideas, is more of a follower without the qualities to become a leader since he is dependent on those who tell him what to do, like Ralph and his aunt. Furthermore, when the boys meet each other, Jack demands to be the leader: “‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack with simple arrogance, ‘because I’m chapter chorister and head boy’…‘Who wants Jack for chief?’ With dreary obedience the choir raised their hands” (28-9). Locke’s theory that knowledge and behavior is the outcome of experience is demonstrated by Jack, who is familiar with being in control and having others, such as the choir, remain loyal to him with his intimidating attitude and actions. Specifically, Jack tries to gain dominance on the group, but is overshadowed by Ralph and the conch, which frustrates him as he sees himself as a better leader than Ralph, leading to a power struggle between the two. Locke’s belief in the mind’s blank slate, as known as “Tabula Rasa,” is seen through two different characters, Piggy and Jack.
John Locke was English philosopher and an influential Enlightenment thinker who believed that men are equal to one another and are permitted to do anything they please as long as it is reasonable as well as the idea that the mind is born as a “tabula rasa,” known as a blank slate, meaning that man is able to define himself, however, the environment is a major factor in his behavior and knowledge. Locke also believed in a government that gains its power from the trust and support of the people and that it is their [government] job to maintain justice by protecting the rights of life, liberty, and property. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, Locke’s theories are demonstrated by the island’s temporary government, and the leaders’, Ralph and Jack, conflicting motives and reasonings. Moreover, the theories can be seen through the group’s shift in behavior, in the entire novel, and the different character traits between Jack and Piggy. The novel is able to relate to Locke’s ideas, from the government created and supported by the group of boys to the contrasting behaviors between the main characters as well as during their stay on the island. It can be inferred that Golding’s considers humanity as complex and fragile, as they can be unpredictable and capable of anything with a certain amount of motivation and manipulation.
corruption like Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, respectively. Throughout the novel, elements of Locke’s beliefs can be seen through the boys’ creation of an ideal government and the different justifications of right and wrong by the two leaders, Ralph and Jack. Furthermore, there is the group’s changing behavior during their time on the island as well as the distinctive personalities of two main characters, Jack and Piggy.
Locke’s theory of man being born without any predetermined behavior, that the behavior is developed based on one’s environment, allowed him to be seen as an influential Enlightenment thinker. Locke was born on August 29th, 1638 in Wrington, Somerset, England. Due to his father’s service to England, Locke was given an advanced education, later in which Locke received a scholarship to Oxford, where he mainly studied medicine. However, he later became involved in politics and its philosophy from his friendship with Lord Chancellor Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. He never married or had any children and died on October 28, 1704 at the age of 78. His theory of Tabula Rasa, the belief that knowledge is based on environment and experience, as well as the right of property, liberty, and life make him known for contradicting the beliefs which state that the mind is already determined and later having influence of the United States Declarations of Independence respectively.
During his time, Locke’s privileged life may have contributed to how he viewed the State of Nature, Social Contract, and State of Man.
When it comes to State of Nature, Locke writes in his Two Treatises of Government,“...a state of perfect freedom of acting and disposing of their own possessions and persons as they think fit within the bounds of the law of nature...The natural state is also one of equality in which all power and jurisdiction is reciprocal...” (Lonang Institute; State of Nature §4). Men are freely allowed to do whatever is necessary as long as there are justifications for their actions and to see that everyone around them is just as equal as themselves. Along with his State of Nature is Locke’s belief of Social Contact: “individuals in a state of nature would be bound morally, by the Law of Nature, not to harm each other in their lives or possession… individuals would agree to form a state that would provide a "neutral judge"...an impartial, objective agent of that self-defense, rather than each man acting as his own judge, jury, and executioner...”(Social Contract-Wikipedia). In other terms, man must form a government that they entrust their lives with by giving them support and power, and in return, the government must protect the people from hurting one another by being the objective factor in the justice system. Finally, in the State of Man, Locke claims that “at birth, the mind was a blank slate or “tabula rasa”... born without innate ideas, and that …show more content…
knowledge is instead determined only by experience derived from sense perception” (John Locke- Wikipedia). In short, Locke believes that man’s knowledge and beliefs are not fixed, but instead, shaped by his experiences. His theories indirectly respond to Thomas Hobbes, who believed that man is naturally evil and must be protected by government and society, as well as Rene Descartes’ belief that man’s behavior and knowledge is already determined. Locke’s ideas contributed to the foundation of epistemology, the nature of knowledge as well as in the United States government, specifically his belief of rights in life, liberty and property on the Bill of Rights.
Locke’s view of democracy as the ideal government is seen through the group’s development of leadership when they crashed on the island.
After Ralph blows a conch, he and Piggy meet the choir boys for the first time and they immediately decide to vote for a leader as described by Golding: “This toy of voting was almost as pleasing as the conch. Jack started to protest but the clamor changed from the general wish for a chief to an election by acclaim of Ralph himself” (28). In this case, democracy, while in progress and decentralized, is used to declare Ralph as the chief on the island as most of the boys trust him having possession of the conch, which symbolizes authority.. Similarly, Locke believes the leader’s power must come from the support of the people involved and it is the leader(s)’ responsibility protect their rights without fear. As chief, Ralph must assume the duty of worrying about everyone’s well-being, survival, and rescue. In other words, Locke’s support in a democracy is reflected through the group’s decision on a chief to make the choices and keep them
safe.
Along with his political belief in democracy, Locke believes that common reasoning must be considered in every decision as seen by the different intentions of Ralph and Jack. During the first half of the novel, Ralph believes that the main objective is to maintain survival as well as find ways to be rescued while Jack, who conflicts with Ralph from time to time, believes that enjoying their freedom from society is more important than going back home. Locke claims that one is allowed to do as they please as long as it follows the law of Nature, which he believes is reason. Despite different perspectives, Ralph and Jack justify their actions for the well-being of the group by doing what they believe is necessary to survive. In the novel, Locke’s belief of reasoning in Ralph’s and Jack’s motive.
In Nature of Man, Locke’s theory in the mind’s “Tabula Rasa” is seen through the boys’ transition in behavior when they are left on their own to defend and govern themselves. Throughout the entire novel, Golding writes how the boys arrive on the island, coming from privileged backgrounds, are forced to adapt to the island in order to survive, resulting in their animalistic and savagery behavior. Locke believes that, while man is allowed to be whoever he can, they are easily influenced by their surroundings. As a result, their experiences are reflected in their character. In this case, the island, which symbolizes escape from civilization, corrupts the group’s innocence as children and adolescents, pushing them to do anything necessary to survive, which has shifted from society to reckless violence. In short, Locke believes that, despite one being able to define themselves, their behavior can evolve or devolve as environment plays a dominant factor, which is seen in the character’s actions in the entire novel.
Locke’s theory of experiences contribute to knowledge can also be observed in the characters, Piggy and Jack, and how their lives before crashing on the island plays a role in their personality. For example, When Ralph and Piggy meet each other, Piggy constantly mentions his aunt: “My auntie told me not to run...on account of my asthma...I can’t swim. I wasn’t allowed. My asthma—...I used to live with my auntie. She kept a candy store. I used to get ever so many candies. As many as I liked.... My auntie wouldn’t let me blow on account of my asthma” (9-20). Piggy’s environment revolves around his aunt’s word, dictating what he is allowed to do and what he cannot do due to the fact that he is limited physically by his asthma and weight. Similarly, Locke’s theory of the mind’s “Tabula Rasa” claims that experience becomes a factor in gaining knowledge. As a result, Piggy, despite being known for reasonable ideas, is more of a follower without the qualities to become a leader since he is dependent on those who tell him what to do, like Ralph and his aunt. Furthermore, when the boys meet each other, Jack demands to be the leader: “‘I ought to be chief,’ said Jack with simple arrogance, ‘because I’m chapter chorister and head boy’…‘Who wants Jack for chief?’ With dreary obedience the choir raised their hands” (28-9). Locke’s theory that knowledge and behavior is the outcome of experience is demonstrated by Jack, who is familiar with being in control and having others, such as the choir, remain loyal to him with his intimidating attitude and actions. Specifically, Jack tries to gain dominance on the group, but is overshadowed by Ralph and the conch, which frustrates him as he sees himself as a better leader than Ralph, leading to a power struggle between the two. Locke’s belief in the mind’s blank slate, as known as “Tabula Rasa,” is seen through two different characters, Piggy and Jack.
John Locke was English philosopher and an influential Enlightenment thinker who believed that men are equal to one another and are permitted to do anything they please as long as it is reasonable as well as the idea that the mind is born as a “tabula rasa,” known as a blank slate, meaning that man is able to define himself, however, the environment is a major factor in his behavior and knowledge. Locke also believed in a government that gains its power from the trust and support of the people and that it is their [government] job to maintain justice by protecting the rights of life, liberty, and property. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, Locke’s theories are demonstrated by the island’s temporary government, and the leaders’, Ralph and Jack, conflicting motives and reasonings. Moreover, the theories can be seen through the group’s shift in behavior, in the entire novel, and the different character traits between Jack and Piggy. The novel is able to relate to Locke’s ideas, from the government created and supported by the group of boys to the contrasting behaviors between the main characters as well as during their stay on the island. It can be inferred that Golding’s considers humanity as complex and fragile, as they can be unpredictable and capable of anything with a certain amount of motivation and manipulation.