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"No one ever had common sense before John Locke," said Bertrand Russell, chauvinistically adding, "and no one but Englishmen have ever had it since." Commonsensical or not, Locke produced two masterpieces of profound importance: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Two Treatises of Government. In The Cambridge Companion to Locke, 10 eminent Locke scholars systematically survey his philosophy, amply demonstrating (as editor Vere Chappell remarks) "the vitality and quality of current Locke scholarship." No student of Locke will want to ignore it. The first essay discusses Locke's life and times; the last essay discusses his far-reaching influence. In between, fully half of the essays are devoted to topics discussed in Locke's Essay. Locke's theory of ideas is expounded by Chappell, who hints at its importance by remarking that the word idea is the most frequently used noun in the Essay. It is puzzling that there is no complete essay here on the renowned distinction between primary and secondary qualities; fortunately, the concept is clearly explained in Edwin McCann's excellent essay on Locke's philosophy of body. Jonathan Bennett struggles valiantly to squeeze as much of Locke's philosophy of mind as he can into one essay; the result is useful if cramped. Other aspects of Locke's thought are not neglected; in particular, his moral thought and political theory receive careful treatment from J.B. Schneewind and the late Richard Ashcraft. His philosophy of religion is discussed by Nicholas Wolterstorff, who continues his discussion in his monograph John Locke and the Ethics of Belief. --Glenn Branch
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