Chapter 11, pp. 73-112 Summary and Analysis

This last chapter in the First Treatise is concerned with the heir to the power. Who does Filmer say the heir should be? The heir has to be someone who has the right to be the ruler over other men, and this right or power is given by God. Filmer talks about something called eldest parents and claims that the right of inheritance of the power are to Adam's line. Says Locke: "To whom? 'To Adam's line and posterity', says our author. A notable limitation, a limitation to all mankind. For if our author can find anyone amongst mankind that is not of the line and posterity of Adam, he may perhaps tell him who the next heir of Adam, he may perhaps tell him who this next heir of Adam is: but for us, I despair...