Which philosopher published the "Two Treatises on Civil Government"?

The correct answer is John Locke, who published "Two Treatises on Civil Government" in 1689. In this work, Locke laid out his theories on the nature of government and the social contract, arguing that individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He contended that the primary purpose of government is to protect these rights and that legitimate political authority derives from the consent of the governed. This text significantly influenced the development of modern democratic thought and was foundational for later political philosophies. Locke's ideas are central to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the development of constitutional government.

The other philosophers mentioned had their own influential ideas but did not write "Two Treatises on Civil Government." Thomas Hobbes, for example, authored "Leviathan," which presented a very different view on the social contract, emphasizing the need for a strong, centralized authority to avoid chaos. Baruch Spinoza focused more on ethics and metaphysics rather than political theories in his works. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, while also a key figure in social contract theory, wrote "The Social Contract," which explored different ideas about freedom and governing the general will. Each of these philosophers contributed significantly to political thought, but Locke's work directly