Book 2, Part 2 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5, "Of the Right of Life and Death"

The author asserts in this chapter that every individual has the responsibility to die in the defense of the state that provides him with security and protection. He also asserts that the state has the right to punish, and perhaps even execute, individuals who threaten the state. making the distinction that the state has no right to take the lives of those who threaten other individuals. He goes on to suggest that in a well ordered state there are few criminals and therefore few punishments, but after a while he chooses to take his argument no further, suggesting that those who have few errors in his life, and little need for pardon, take the discussion further.

Chapter 6, "Of the Law"

The author suggests in this chapter that law is, in essence...