自由是《政府论》两篇的核心和主题。洛克认为,自由是人的自然权利,但这种天赋的自由并不是放任的状态。在自然状态下它受到理性的指导,在政治社会中则受到法律的约束。在自然状态中,每个人都是自由的主体,但在政治社会中,自由的主体则是同意订立社会契约的大多数人。虽然生命、自由和财产都是洛克强调的自然权利,但自由显然具有最根本的价值,是其本质的内容。 Freedom is the core and theme of “government theory.” Locke believes that freedom is the natural rights of man, but the freedom of such gifts is not a state of laissez-faire. Under natural conditions it is guided by reason and is bound by law in political society. In the natural state, everyone is the subject of freedom, but in political society the subject of freedom is the majority agreeing to a social contract. Although life, liberty, and property are all natural rights Locke emphasizes, freedom is clearly of the most fundamental value and is its essence.