Comparing Thomas Hobbes And John Locke Essay - 3502 Words

Comparing Thomas Hobbes and John Locke’s views concerning what life is like in a state of nature we can see that the two-theorist’s share opposite views in making an assumption of what the sate of nature is like. Thomas Hobbes’ views include pessimistic views of nature and how its effects can influence man to selfishly consider what he would need to do to secure his safety while John Locke presents a natural concept that assumes there is a universal thought of good that man is aware of. Attempting to justify the role of government or justice by understanding the state of nature can be somewhat accurate and can be considered for such purposes but may fail to answer some aspects of society overall and leave other things unanswered. In regards to understanding one’s self and how they view things, establishing a concept of what human nature is and then using it to form government, which will then re-enforce good and combat the dark aspects of human nature can be good. Critics of this form of development leading to the creation of a government or justice who can be considered would be those aware of the philosophical works by Aristotle who offers true or false statements pertaining to different forms of governments in his book Politics (4th Century). By knowing Aristotle’s views on political associations and government, it can be said that, his views would not be similar to Thomas Hobbes and John Locke’s as all three theorists’ offer a different view on the same things whileShow MoreRelatedComparing John Locke and Thomas Hobbes Essay1279 Words   |  6 PagesThe formation of government is one of the central themes for both Hobbes and Locke. Whether or not men naturally form a government, or must form a government, is based on man’s basic nature. According to Hobbes, a government must be formed to preserve life and prevent loss of property. According to Locke, a government arises to protect life and property. G overnments are born of inequality and formed to administer equality. Hobbes goes into a lot of detail concerning man’s interactions with one anotherRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes Compare And Contrast862 Words   |  4 Pages Locke vs. Hobbes Compare and Contrast Essay During and after the English Revolution (1642-1688), different philosophers acted differently towards the revolution , based on their ideas and personal experiences. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes stood out to be the most intelligent thinkers who argued in opposite ways. On the contrary they were similar in their approach for the use of reason. They both represented a trend in the 17th and 18th centuries to use reason as a final judgement. By analyzingRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes886 Words   |  4 PagesBy comparing the two readings assigned one can discuss the differences in political theories expressed by both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. In, Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, and in, The Second Treatise of Government, by John Locke different theories of political legitimacy and definitions of the state of nature are described. The following paragraphs analyze multiple different points that are imperative to understanding these political theories. In the reading, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes discussesRead MoreWhat Does Political Legitimacy Of The State Of Nature?921 Words   |  4 Pages By comparing the two readings assigned one can discuss the differences in political theories expressed by both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. In, Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, and in, The Second Treatise of Government, by John Locke different theories of political legitimacy and definitions of the state of nature are described. The following paragraphs analyze multiple different points that are imperative to understanding these political theories. In the reading, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes discussesRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke888 Words   |  4 Pagesare very similar but diverge in the moments that solidify their stance on their opinion. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke is both political scientist who have made strides in the area of social contracts and share being natural law theorist also. Locke and all other natural law theorists assumed that man was by nature a social animal and there fore struck contracts with each other to secure safety among them. Hobbes assumed differently, thus his verdicts are very different from other natural law theoristsRead MoreConceptions of the Social Contract Theory924 Words   |  4 PagesThomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau were political philosophers who formulated their own version of the social contract theory. The social contract theory is a treaty or an agreement that developed a set of laws, organized a functional society, and created the need to be governed. It was put into place when man realized that there was no law. Mankind eventually sought the desire for security and order. To receive security and order people shall voluntarily give up all their rightsRead MoreThe Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature2003 Words   |  9 PagesINTRODUCTION This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or throughRead MoreHobbes and Locke: Comparing and Contrasting Political Philosophies1738 Words   |  7 Pages(A) Comparing and contrasting the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are comparable in their basic political ideologies about man and their rights in the state of nature before they enter a civil society. Their political ideas are very much similar in that regard. The resemblance between Hobbes and Locke’s philosophies are based on a few characteristics of the state of nature and the state of man. Firstly, in the state of nature both Hobbes and LockeRead MoreEssay about Comparing Hobbes and Lockes Versions of the Social Contract1349 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Hobbes and Lockes Versions of the Social Contract Thomas Hobbes, author of Leviathan, claims that peace and unity can best be achieved by setting up a society by having humans agree to a covenant (Hobbes: Ch.18 pg.548). A sovereign who is in charge of protecting the society or state rules Hobbes’s society. In his introduction, Hobbes describes this commonwealth as an artificial person and as a body politic that mimics the human body. Hobbes portrays the state as a gigantic humanRead MoreCompare and Contrast Hobbes’s and Locke’s Views of the State of Nature and the Fundamental Purpose of Political Society. Whose View Is the More Plausible? Why?1564 Words   |  7 Pagesof the state of nature and the fundamental purpose of political society. Whose view is the more plausible? Why? Introduction Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both natural law theorists and social contracts theorists. While most natural law theorists have predominantly been of the opinion that humans are social animals by nature, Locke and Hobbes had a different perspective. Their points of view were remarkably different from those perpetuated by other natural law theorists. On the other