Hobbes, Locke, and Confusion's Masterpiece: An Examination of Seventeenth-Century Political Philosophy

This is an excellent explication and critical discussion of the main themes in Hobbes's and Locke's political philosophy. Harrison sets up the intellectual background very well, in terms of such issues as skepticism, natural law, and the problem of political authority, and draws illuminating connections and comparisons with other philosophers such as Grotius and Pufendorf. Harrison usefully brings in other texts by Hobbes and Locke to shed light on the major concepts. His interpretations are convincing and philosophically acute, and get to the heart of the matter. Highly recommended.

Harrison does a great job of putting Hobbes and Locke into comparative perspective. This makes it easier to understand both philosophers' concept of the state of nature and the social contract. Moreover, the book adds in material about contemporaries such as Filmer, Hooker, and Grotius which places the thought of Hobbes and Locke in the context of the intellectual history of the times. Whatever the merits of Harrison's conclusions, the process of getting there is engaging and enlightening.