Ancient Knowledge ClubAn Enquiry Concerning Political JusticeWilliam Godwin

Guided edition

An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice

by William Godwin

An expansive argument about justice, public power and the limits of government.

Written 1793 109 guided readings Named English edition Read at your own pace

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Book I

CHAP. I.: INTRODUCTIONOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: HISTORY OF POLITICAL SOCIETYOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: THE MORAL CHARACTERS OF MEN ORIGINATE IN THEIR PERCEPTIONSOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: THREE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF MORAL IMPROVEMENT CONSIDEREDOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS EXEMPLIFIEDOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: HUMAN INVENTIONS CAPABLE OF PERPETUAL IMPROVEMENTOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF THE OBJECTION TO THESE PRINCIPLES FROM THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE. Reflection can transform sensation, but bodily conditions remain real causes rather than failures of willOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF THE OBJECTION TO THESE PRINCIPLES FROM THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE. Institutions and organised interests explain political character better than climate or inherited national essenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: OF THE OBJECTION TO THESE PRINCIPLES FROM THE INFLUENCE OF LUXURYOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Ii

CHAP. I.: INTRODUCTIONOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF JUSTICE. Justice asks what best serves every person, but moral worth cannot rank whose life deserves rescueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF JUSTICE. Rights replace discretionary favour, while courage means refusing harmful custom rather than proving worth through deathOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: OF DUTYOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE EQUALITY OF MANKINDOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: RIGHTS OF MANOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: OF THE EXERCISE OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT. Private judgement needs reasons rather than obedience purchased by reward or fearOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: OF THE EXERCISE OF PRIVATE JUDGMENT. Public safety may require restraint, but force cannot substitute for evidence, justice, or preventionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Iii

CHAP. I.: SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL WRITERSOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF THE SOCIAL CONTRACTOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: OF PROMISESOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF POLITICAL AUTHORITYOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: OF LEGISLATIONOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: OF OBEDIENCEOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF FORMS OF GOVERNMENTOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Iv

CHAP. I.: OF RESISTANCEOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF REVOLUTIONS. Political change needs open persuasion, but collective organisation and practical knowledge cannot be reserved for an eliteOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF REVOLUTIONS. Association can distort judgement, but isolated discussion cannot replace collective protection and democratic powerOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: OF REVOLUTIONS. Partial reform can build capacity for deeper change when it follows public understanding rather than disguising abuseOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: OF TYRANNICIDEOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Knowledge strengthens moral judgement, but intelligence and social status do not measure human worthOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Truthfulness supports trust, but safety, privacy, and confidentiality can justify withholding or deceptionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Open truth needs strategic judgement, and moral insight cannot be reduced to recognised intellectual talentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Talent can rationalise domination, while honest boundaries should not be delegated as liesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Frankness needs boundaries, especially where disclosure would expose a person to persecutionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: OF THE CULTIVATION OF TRUTH. Honourable means support trust, but persecuted people do not owe complete disclosure or exileOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: OF FREE WILL AND NECESSITY. Human conduct shows causal patterns, though regular prediction does not by itself prove complete necessityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: OF FREE WILL AND NECESSITY. Uncertain prediction may reflect hidden causes, but human reasons are not simply physical impactsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: OF FREE WILL AND NECESSITY. Treating will as informed preference avoids caprice, but reason alone does not guarantee virtueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: INFERENCES FROM THE DOCTRINE OF NECESSITYOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF THE MECHANISM OF THE HUMAN MIND. Thought may participate in bodily action without every mental process becoming conscious deliberationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF THE MECHANISM OF THE HUMAN MIND. Comparison, memory, and attention organise rapid experience without making each component separately consciousOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: OF THE MECHANISM OF THE HUMAN MIND. Learned movement can become automatic, but thought is not the hidden driver of every bodily processOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: OF THE PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUE. Concern for another person can motivate action directly rather than serving concealed self interestOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: OF THE PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUE. Perceived benefit can motivate directly, though feeling and reflection usually work togetherOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: OF THE PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUE. Institutions can cultivate concern beyond self interest without demanding self erasureOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IX.: OF THE TENDENCY OF VIRTUE. Virtue can support meaning and trust, but it does not guarantee happiness, esteem, or prosperityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IX.: OF THE TENDENCY OF VIRTUE. Integrity builds durable trust while corruption makes success dependent on secrecy, patronage, and repeated compromiseOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. I.: IntroductionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: Of Education, The Education Of A Prince. Hereditary rank isolates a future ruler from the equal relationships and difficult experience required for sound judgementOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: Of Education, The Education Of A Prince. The lived structure of rank teaches superiority more powerfully than even an exceptional tutor can teach equalityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: Of A Virtuous DespotismOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: Of Courts And MinistersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of SubjectsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: Of Elective MonarchyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of Limited MonarchyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IX.: Of A President With Regal PowersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. X.: Of Hereditary DistinctionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XI.: Moral Effects Of AristocracyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XII.: Of TitlesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XIII.: Of The Aristocratical CharacterOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XIV.: General Features Of DemocracyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XV.: Of Political ImpostureOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XVI.: Of The Causes Of WarOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XVII.: Of The Object Of WarOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XVIII.: Of The Conduct Of WarOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XIX.: Of Military Establishments And TreatiesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XX.: Of Democracy As Connected With The Transactions Of WarOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XXI.: Of The Composition Of GovernmentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XXII.: Of The Future History Of Political SocietiesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XXIII.: Of National AssembliesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. XXIV.: Of The Dissolution Of GovernmentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Vi.: Of Opinion Considered As A Subject Of Political Institution

CHAP. I: General Effects Of The Political Superintendence Of Opinion. Government cannot manufacture virtue through moral surveillance, compulsory simplicity, or official rewards that substitute authority for evidenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. I: General Effects Of The Political Superintendence Of Opinion. Official patronage can preserve settled opinion and weaken enquiry even when government claims to reward truth and virtueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. I: General Effects Of The Political Superintendence Of Opinion. Institutions should adapt when circumstances and knowledge change, but equal freedom cannot be postponed until the powerful consider others readyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: Of Religious EstablishmentsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: Of The Suppression Of Erroneous Opinion In Religion And GovernmentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: Of TestsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: Of OathsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of Libels. Public criticism needs freedom in style and argument, while direct incitement and false attacks on private reputation require distinct testsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of Libels. Sincerity supports warning and accountability, but it does not give false accusation immunity from proportionate correction and remedyOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: Of ConstitutionsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of National EducationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IX.: Of Pensions And SalariesOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. X.: Of The Modes Of Deciding A Question On The Part Of The CommunityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Vii.: Of Legislative And Executive Power

CHAP. I.: Limitations Of The Doctrine Of Punishment Which Result From The Principles Of MoralityOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: General Disadvantages Of CoercionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: Of The Purposes Of CoercionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: Of The Application Of CoercionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: Of Coercion Considered As A Temporary Expedient. A transition away from coercion must improve institutions while retaining the minimum force needed to stop immediate violenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: Of Coercion Considered As A Temporary Expedient. Political change depends on prior public understanding, and any interim coercion should be limited to necessary restraintOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Scale Of Coercion. Restraint should use the least harmful effective measure and never add death, bodily pain, or isolation for vengeanceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Scale Of Coercion. Isolation, forced labour, expulsion, and penal colonisation fail when they destroy agency or transfer danger and domination elsewhereOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: Of EvidenceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of Law. Law becomes complex and uncertain, but public rules remain essential to constrain power and give fair notice before coercionOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of Law. Case specific reason can correct rigid rules, but uncontrolled judgement needs public law, reasons, review, and equal procedural rightsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IX.: Of PardonsOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Book Viii.: Of Property

CHAP. I.: Genuine System Of Property DelineatedOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: Benefits Arising From The Genuine System Of Property. Concentrated wealth can turn economic dependence into obedience and direct status, education, and ambition away from public valueOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. II.: Benefits Arising From The Genuine System Of Property. Extreme inequality can intensify conflict and private domination, though crime, war, and population cannot be reduced to property aloneOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. III.: Of The Objection To This System From The Admirable Effects Of LuxuryOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. IV.: Of The Objection To This System From The Allurements Of SlothOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. V.: Of The Objection To This System From The Impossibility Of Its Being Rendered PermanentOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of The Objection To This System From The Inflexibility Of Its Restrictions. Material equality should expand personal autonomy, while necessary cooperation remains legitimate when it preserves consent, difference, and accountable coordinationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of The Objection To This System From The Inflexibility Of Its Restrictions. Intimate relationships need continuing consent, independent agency, fair exit, and enforceable duties to children and vulnerable partnersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VI.: Of The Objection To This System From The Inflexibility Of Its Restrictions. Secure personal use and skilled specialisation can coexist with social claims, but complex production still needs fair coordination and exchangeOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VII.: Of The Objection To This System From The Principle Of PopulationOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of The Means Of Introducing The Genuine System Of Property. Transformative ideas should be communicated truthfully with care, because foreseeable violence is not an acceptable price that advocates may assign to othersOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of The Means Of Introducing The Genuine System Of Property. Nonviolent reform needs truthful persuasion, organised power, institutional change, and safeguards against interests that reason alone may not overcomeOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

CHAP. VIII.: Of The Means Of Introducing The Genuine System Of Property. Changing social esteem can weaken inherited hierarchy, but fair wages and distribution also require institutions that convert principle into durable practiceOriginal source, plain English guide and key takeaways

Source and edition are always named.

William Godwin, 1793. The Ancient Knowledge Club guide is original and kept separate from the source text.