Theoretical Limitation of Modern Political Theory With special reference to John Locke

Abstract

This paper is a discussion on the secular nature of modern political theory. By taking up John Locke as a case to examine the problem of secularizing political theory, the paper focuses on Locke‟s religious premise namely, human beings as creatures of God. Recent works on Locke‟s political thought by Jacob De Roover and Elizabeth Pritchard has been discussed as to illustrate the theoretical complexity involved in this presumption. The paper concludes by discussing the complex religious presumption of Locke in relation with James V Schall‟s argument concerning the problem of modern political theories and the need for transcendence.