Final answer:
John Locke believed property rights originated from the natural law and became an individual's possession once labor was applied to it without depriving others. As societies evolve, disparities in wealth wouldn't harm society if they led to greater productivity. Moreover, governments should protect property rights, and the people have the right to change a government that acts against their interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Locke on Property and Ownership
English philosopher John Locke articulated a view of property rights and possession based on natural law and labor. In his philosophy, anyone has the right to own property in the state of nature, which initially consist of things that are provided by nature, such as land, forests, and animals.
According to Locke, property becomes truly one's own when one applies labor to it; for instance, by farming the land or building upon it. However, such ownership must not deprive others of their opportunity to utilize the commons, as it was given to everyone in common by God.
Locke differentiated between natural liberty and civil liberty, with the former arising out of the state of nature and the latter being a product of civil society and governance.
As society becomes more complex and economic systems based on private property and money emerge, Locke noted that discrepancies in wealth would not necessarily harm society if the property contributed to the greater good through production and trade.
Moreover, Locke advocated for the protection of property rights by governments. However, he also emphasized that if a ruler were to violate these rights or act against the will of the society, the people, who are the ultimate judges, have the right to change a tyrannical government. This expresses a form of natural justice and self-preservation that persists through the evolution from a state of nature to a society bound by a social contract.