The master's thesis seeks to understand the relationship between the justification of political ideas and the social order, using the example of Locke's political philosophy in its historical context. The thesis pursues this aim in two chapters. The first is devoted to a survey of the various interpretative approaches and practices in the history of ideas and to an outline of the key concepts and principles for interpreting and understanding historical texts, which at the same time underpin the treatment of knowledge and its justification. Building on the foundation of the first part of the thesis, the second chapter attempts to offer a historical interpretation of Locke's political philosophy, with a focus on his treatment of the notions of 'political power' and 'property'. By juxtaposing Locke's thought with influential absolutist philosophies and situating it in a historical space, with an emphasis on the mercantilist context of his thought and action, the thesis seeks to highlight the epistemic localness and social performativity of the justification of political ideas. The thesis concludes with a more general reflection on the nature of epistemology and the practice of the history of ideas.
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