Thomas Paine,'Common Sense'
1) As indicated by the title of his work, Paine basis’s his
argument in common sense, or reason. In what sense is it
“common”? Does it make a democracy legitimate? How?
2) What is the meaning of 'liberty' in Paine's thought?
Equality? What is the relationship between the two?
3) For Paine, what is the value of local government? Why
does he seek to limit the power of the central government?
4) In Common Sense, how many kinds of truth exist? If
more than one, what are the relationships between these
types of truth? If only one, how does this form embrace all
of human experience?
5) Paine begins his analysis from the state of nature. What
political goals does this serve? What role does nature
have in Paine’s thinking?
6) What is the nature of law as described in Common
Sense? Over whom is it mandatory and why?
7) For Paine, what is the relationship between law and
liberty?
8) According to Common Sense, what is the basis of an
honorable government?
John Locke
Did Locke's Writings Inspire the American Revolution?
1) What is Locke's view of government?
2) What is the relationship between law and liberty?
3) What role does nature have in government?
4) According to Locke what role did property have in
mankind?