What would Locke say about the rights of unpopular minorities? For example, what

Question

What would Locke say about the rights of unpopular minorities? For example, what if a majority of a community voted that pornography should not be allowed into the community, so that it was illegal for individuals to view certain forms of art even in the privacy of their homes? (Consider that this would include nude paintings by master artists such as "Blue Nude" by Henri Matisse or "Danae" by Gustav Klimt.) Would Locke's theory permit the community to limit individual liberty in this way? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

Locke has talked about two types of individual rights, natural and legal. According to him every individual has the right to life, liberty and property. He has also told that there should be limited government intervention. So, although Locke agrees that legislature is the supreme power to enact the law about pornography stopping people from viewing it even at their homes. He would also feel that if people vote against it, it has to be withdrawn because the government is for the people and not the people are for the government. According to Locke, there is no majority or minority, it’s only individual freedom.

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