Philippine E-Journals

Land Ownership Among Indigenous People Through the Lens of John Locke’s State of Nature

Darwin T Aguilar | Asisclo Iii M. Abonado | Raymundo R. Pavo | Esteban Josué Beltrán Ulate | Roberto S Kahlmeyer-Mertens

Discipline: Philosophy

 

Abstract:

The aim of this paper was to explore the philosophy of John Locke’s state of nature as it serves as a guidebook with regards to the land ownership of the Indigenous people. This paper explored on Locke’s notion of the state of nature and the experiences of Indigenous people in line with land ownership. In the course of the presentation, the deep discussion of John Locke’s state of nature was discussed and some of the experiences of the indigenous people where narrated. His state of nature discussed how an individual should own a property and how God did entrust his creations to us humans, and we should not rule over the other. The narration was about what were the experiences of the indigenous people in line with land ownership as to what John Locke’s theory prescribes. The view found in the philosophy of John Locke’s state of nature was presented. Along with the presentation, it was found that John Locke’s theory is not applicable to the indigenous people for they do not know of any law aside of what they believe according to their traditions. It further displayed what are the needs of those persons in line of what they are facing right now. It was discovered that here are many problems faced by these people and some are abusing them grabbing their land for their own purpose. Moreover, John Locke’s state of nature further implied that such having concerns with one another would lead us into betterment of the society when it comes to implementation of laws and regulations. John Locke is really hopeful that someday this would be materialized.