Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: John Locke was portrayed as possessive individualist
Reason R: John Locke was not in favour of merely maximising interest
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

Correct option is B

· Assertion (A): John Locke is often portrayed as a possessive individualist because his theories emphasize the right of individuals to own and control property. His philosophy in Two Treatises of Government suggests that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which they possess independently of society or the state. This idea supports the notion of possessive individualism, where individuals are seen as fundamentally autonomous and self-owning.
· Reason (R): Although Locke is associated with possessive individualism, he was not purely in favor of maximizing self-interest at all costs. Locke believed that individuals have a moral duty and that property rights are limited by the needs of others (e.g., the "enough and as good" principle). This shows that Locke supported individual rights, but within the bounds of social responsibility and natural law, suggesting he was not solely focused on maximizing personal interest.
While both statements are correct, R does not fully explain A. Locke’s portrayal as a possessive individualist stems more from his defense of private property and individual autonomy than from his views on limiting self-interest, which is a separate issue.
Information Booster:
1. John Locke's possessive individualism is centered on his argument that individuals have a natural right to property, which is derived from their labor.
2. Locke's concept of property rights includes moral limits, such as ensuring others are not deprived when claiming property (the "Lockean proviso").
3. Possessive individualism emphasizes individual autonomy and self-ownership, making Locke's philosophy foundational for liberalism.
4. Maximizing self-interest is not Locke's primary goal. He balances individual rights with duties to others under natural law.
5. Locke's political theory influenced modern liberal democracy, focusing on the protection of individual rights, but also maintaining order and justice.
6. Locke’s social contract theory suggests that individuals enter into a government to protect their rights, but this government must be limited to prevent tyranny.