Locke and the Rights of Children

Locke and the Rights of Children Locke firmly denies Filmer's theory that it is morally permissible for parents to treat their children however they please: "They who allege the Practice of Mankind, for exposing or selling their Children, as a Proof of their Power over them, are with Sir Rob. happy Arguers, and cannot but recommend their Opinion by founding it on the most shameful Action, and most unnatural Murder, humane Nature is capable of." (…

…also virtuous. If this view turns out to be right - and I am not sure that it is - our whole understanding of classical liberalism may change. In particular, classical liberal theories that try to address only political philosophy, remaining silent on all other questions, will turn out to be wrong. As might be expected, the anamolous case of childrens' rights raises new and serious questions about the ultimate justification of a liberal order.