Final answer:
Locke's concept of identity focuses on psychological continuity, defined by consciousness and memory. His political philosophy is grounded in natural rights and the social contract theory, emphasizing that government should protect these rights and derive authority from the people's consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Locke's concept of identity and his views on personhood are central to understanding his contributions to philosophy and political theory. Locke's psychological continuity approach on the idea that personal identity is defined by consciousness and memory, a departure from defining identity solely through biological means. He considered a thinking intelligent being that has reason and reflection as the essence of personhood, able to consider itself as the same being across different times and places.
Locke's state of nature forms the foundation of his political philosophy, emphasizing a pre-political moral law leading to natural justice. In this state, individuals have the right to self-ownership and by extension, limited property through their labor. As society evolves and money is introduced, property rights are expanded, but always under the constraint of natural law, such as the law of self-preservation and the prohibition against taking more than one needs.
Furthermore, Locke distinguished between natural and civil liberty, emphasizing the necessity of a civil society for the protection of property rights, both in terms of oneself and one's possessions. The social contract is a key element of Locke's political philosophy, where governments derive authority from the consent of the governed and protect natural rights. Should a government fail in its duty, the social contract is broken, permitting the people to withdraw consent and form a new government.