Sieyès as a reader of John Locke: metaphysics, politics and law
Résumé
The most notable trait of Sieyès's reading of Locke is that it is centred on the Essay concerning human understanding (1690) and falls under the scope of metaphysics. Although it may seem a far cry from the theme of political liberty, it was for Sieyès the alpha and omega of all political and legal thinking. Nevertheless, although Sieyès may well be a careful reader of the Essay, it is not enough to keep him from what can be called 'diffuse Lockeanism'. Sieyès's diffuse Lockeanism fed upon a direct reading of Locke, through a reflection upon language. Such play between an oblique and political Lockeanism and a direct and linguistic one will be my second point, with a fourfold focus: pre-legal community, division of powers, property as liberty and anti-paternalism.
Domaines
Philosophie
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