John Locke: The Force of Reputation and Fashion in Human Affairs (1678)

Introduction

John Locke (1632-1704) is one of the most important originators of the Enlightenment. His writings span a broad range. His Essay Concerning Humane Understanding was a masterpiece of the theory of knowledge; he wrote popular books on Christianity and raising children, as well as important early works on economics. He is perhaps best remembered today as the father of liberal democracy. In his Letter Concerning Toleration he outlined the fundamental modern understanding of the division between public and private, ‘state and church’–the subjects about which government ought, and ought not, to legislate, and the principle justifying the line between them. In the United States, the words of the ‘American Creed’ first articulated by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence–”We hold these truths to be self-evident…”–outlining the equality of rights of all people and the people with their rights as the source of legitimate government–all of this can be readily understood as a summary of the argument of Locke’s Second Treatise on Government.

Locke’s thought was utterly new in Western history in one sense, that it limited the ‘political power’ to making laws and enforcing and judging them. All earlier Western thinkers characterized political power more fully, as including the power over even ideas. What is fascinating about the short entry from Locke’s journal below is that in this private place he quietly acknowledges this other aspect of political power. His final sentence even seems to assert it to be the more important aspect. Yet, he also recognizes that it is a power not necessarily held by the government. When one considers Locke’s writings in this light, a book on how to raise children, for example, which greatly influences what we today call ‘culture’, takes on a new appearance, as does his constant apparently incidental, but perhaps crucial, praise of qualities like liberty, industry, honesty and frugality, throughout his works.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

In order to ask whether Locke’s influence in America included this feature of his thought, consider the following statements by some of America’s Founders as you read Locke’s journal entry:

“Because We have no Government armed with Power capable of contending with human Passions, … Avarice, Ambition, and Revenge … would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

– John Adams, to the officers of the Massachusetts Militia

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. …  virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”

– George Washington, Farewell Address

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.”

– James Madison, speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention

Do you think that culture or moral fashion is as important as these statements suggest? Why or why not?

The Force of Reputation and Fashion in Human Affairs – John Locke

Monday, Dec. 12th, 1678 – The principal spring from which the actions of men take their rise, the rule they conduct them by, and the end to which they direct them, seems to be credit and reputation, and that which at any rate they avoid, is in the greatest part shame and disgrace. This makes the Hurons and other people of Canada with such constancy endure inexpressible torments: this makes merchants in one country, and soldiers in another: this puts men upon school divinity in one country, and physics and mathematics in another: this cuts out the dresses for the women, and makes the fashions for the men; and this makes them endure the inconveniences of all. This makes men drunkards and sober, thieves and honest, and robbers themselves true to one another. Religions are upheld by this and factions maintained, and the shame of being disesteemed by those with whom one hath lived, and to whom one would recommend oneself, is the great source and director of most of the actions of men. Where riches are in credit, knavery and injustice that produce them are not out of countenance, because, the state being got, esteem follows it, as in some countries the crown ennobles the blood. Where power and not the good exercise of it, gives reputation, all the injustice, falsehood, violence, and oppression that attains that, goes for wisdom and ability. Where love of one’s country is the thing in credit, there we shall see a race of brave Romans; and when being a favourite at court was the only thing in fashion, one may observe the same race of Romans all turned flatterers and informers. He therefore that would govern the world well, had need consider rather what fashions he makes, than what laws; and to bring any thing into use he need only give it reputation.

Source: Locke, J. (1678, December 12). [Journal entry]. In P. King (Ed.), The life of John Locke, with extracts from his correspondence, journals, and common-place books (Vol. 1, pp. 238–239). Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley. https://archive.org/details/lifeofjohnlockew00king