ipl-logo

Locke Vs Hobbes

809 Words4 Pages

The American Constitution stands on the principles and ideals of ancient, notable philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Their ideas and theories lead to the development of one of the strongest nations in the world. Believing the best form of government is a democracy, John Locke expressed an optimistic and positive view of the nature of human beings describing them as cooperative and social creatures. On the other hand, Thomas Hobbes had a pessimistic view of the nature of human beings, describing them as selfish and war-like, and favored a total monarchy. Furthermore, although they have opposing views on human nature, they both have valid points. As mentioned, Hobbes viewed human nature in a negative light. Moreover, he …show more content…

Unlike Hobbes, he thought the state of nature is characterized by reason. Moreover, he viewed humans as cooperative, social animals who want to be loved. He also believed that we are all created equal and have the right to life, liberty, health, and property, as they are our God-given rights. For this reason, he opposed monarchy and believed democracy was the best form of government. Furthermore, he believed that we all have the right to protect our God-given rights and not harm others regarding their life, health, liberty, and possessions. Although Locke believed people are moral, he did acknowledge the fact there are is a small percentage of people who aren’t. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of having a democratically governed society in order to enforce rules, promote security, and preserve property. He thought the best way to solve social conflicts was for each individual in a society to come together and come to an agreement to live under one government that enforces laws for the greater …show more content…

However, he generalizes people and puts everyone in a box. Not all people are selfish and seek power. With this in mind, I agree with Locke regarding his view of human nature. He says the majority of people are cooperative and seek to be loved, all the while acknowledging the existence of morally corrupt people, which is why we need a democratic government. I think this theory couldn't be more accurate. Moreover, Hobbes also made a valid point when mentioning the fact that people would give up their powers in exchange for security. In fact, we see this taking place today. We have given up our privacy, especially personal online information, in exchange for our safety and security. Moreover, I lean more towards Locke’s philosophy in that he has a more balanced and realistic

Show More
Related

Similarities Between Jefferson And John Locke

511 Words | 3 Pages

John Locke, a 17th century philosopher from England, was a man who contained many ideas and theories on how particular civilizations should operate. John Locke philosophized “that there was an unspoken law amongst men known as “The Law of Nature” (“state of nature” Locke). The “law of nature” depicts a community in which there was only moral law. Thus the “law of nature” portrays a “state of perfect freedom where all men share their equality” (“state of nature”4). This statement basically states that “no one has power over another and are free (Locke 4)” to govern themselves accordingly.

Read More

How Did John Locke Encourage The Ratification Of The Constitution

1219 Words | 5 Pages

He believed that people were born with reason and in with that came common interests and peace, but he also knew that people would need something to act as a third party in natural brawls. He supported a government that would take action when needed but other-wise stay at bay. When this government made appearance at times in need of control the people would willingly consent to a social contract, which was the notion of at times for the good of the people losing some freedoms. With this government, and its powers came the important opportunity for the people to discard the representatives that they felt were not governing for the people. Locke knew that man was easily influence by self-interest, and if man governed man that wouldn’t it be only natural for government to become a self-interested tool for its own consumption of power and benefits; Madison’s theories constantly worried of a central government that would obtain too much power.

Read More

Articles Of Confederation Dbq

1053 Words | 5 Pages

A number of factors played a part of choosing what government the founding fathers would choose. At first, they established the Articles of Confederation. The Articles were ratified during war with Britain, so it was set in a war based aura. It allowed the country to conduct foreign affairs, declare war, and make treaties. It could not collect taxes, but the states could.

Read More

The Enlightenment Dbq Essay

1016 Words | 5 Pages

John Locke also went against Hobbes’ ideas by saying that government can be overthrown. These ideas all show different viewpoints, that government should have all the power, and that it should be split up to keep them from having all the

Read More

How Did John Locke's Ideas Influence The Declaration Of Independence

525 Words | 3 Pages

The founding fathers were intrigued by his social compact and limited government. His big worry was about the problems of both political and social order. Some beliefs in his contract were to enforce the law and prevent chaos. As stated before with John Locke, Hobbes also had a part in the declaration where it says,”all men are created equal…”. Not only this, but he brought up the belief that everyone who is under the rule of a government should be able to overthrow the government.

Read More

Machiavelli Vs Hobbes Research Paper

624 Words | 3 Pages

Hobbes believed that natural state of humans was violent and therefore needed order and control to ensure a just and equal society (Robinson 2016, 4). However Hobbes believed that a sovereign could maintain power without deceit and manipulation. Hobbes believed in the social contract which is when people could have a moral understanding about right and wrong to avoid the chaotic violent human nature. Hobbes believed in the idea of utilitarianism which would “maximize the most good and minimize the pain” (Robinson 201, 4). This would ensure that the sovereign was doing things for the right reasons and not to better himself but to better society as a

Read More

Theme Of Friendship In The Outsiders

397 Words | 2 Pages

Friendship Baltasar Gracian, a well known philosopher, once said “Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.” His quote is true in The Outsiders by S.E. Hilton. In the book, a group known as the Greasers are known as hoodlums by the Socials, or rich people, and they don’t have a lot of money. What Ponyboy and his gang do have is friendship. Friendship highlights the best parts of this novel.

Read More

Thomas Hobbes Influence On Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Enlightenment

493 Words | 2 Pages

Some of Hobbes’ beliefs were even stated in the Declaration of Independence. For instance, his belief that people should give up their rights that lead toward violence, his wanted a government that would allow people to live in peace, and that the government should prevent violence and

Read More

Compare And Contrast Thomas Hobbes And John Locke

1441 Words | 6 Pages

When comparing the two different accounts of English philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke we must take into consideration a number of things such as the age in which they lived and the time in which they produced their philosophical writings. We will however find out that these two philosophers actually have a couple of things in which agree on even though most of their opinions clash. On one side we have Thomas Hobbes who lived in the time of the English Civil War (1642-1651) who provides a negative framework for his philosophical opinions in his masterpiece Leviathan and who advocates for philosophical absolutism . On the other side we have John Locke, living during the glorious revolution (1688-1689) he presents a positive attitude in his book The Second Treatise of Government and advocates for philosophical and biblical constitutionalism. It is important that we know that the state of nature describes a pre- political society prior to the social contract.

Read More

What Is John Locke's State Of Nature

548 Words | 3 Pages

John Locke is an enlightened political philosopher whose explanations to his ideas remains profoundly influential. Locke believes people should have the right to do anything they want without the government enforcing them to do a task. In The Second Treatise, Locke discusses some vital concepts of his thinking, beginning with a discussion of the State of Nature. He explains that humans move from a state of nature characterized by perfect freedom and are governed by reason to a civil government in which the authority is vested in a legislative and executive power. In the State of Nature, men are born equal, to have perfect liberty to maintain.

Read More

How Did Thomas Hobbes Influence American Government

1212 Words | 5 Pages

His negative and pessimistic point of view on humanity led him to draft this version of the social contract. Hobbes, who lived in the United Kingdom, under the rule of a monarch, affected the government of this time by introducing this idea. His social contract defied a democracy, and favored a monarchy. The monarchs and rulers of his time approved of his draft, whereas rulers later on who believed in a democracy strongly disagreed with this

Read More

Similarities Between Hobbes And Rousseau

1351 Words | 6 Pages

Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes, two titans of the Enlightenment, work within similar intellectual frameworks in their seminal writings. Hobbes, in Leviathan, postulates a “state of nature” before society developed, using it as a tool to analyze the emergence of governing institutions. Rousseau borrows this conceit in Discourse on Inequality, tracing the development of man from a primitive state to modern society. Hobbes contends that man is equal in conflict during the state of nature and then remains equal under government due to the ruler’s monopoly on authority. Rousseau, meanwhile, believes that man is equal in harmony in the state of nature and then unequal in developed society.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Hobbes Locke And Rousseau

1740 Words | 7 Pages

Hobbes was an English philosopher, known through out the world as the author of “Leviathan” which is regarded as one of the earliest examples of the social contract theory. His writings were greatly influenced by the

Read More

Thomas Hobbes Absolute Monarchy

1084 Words | 5 Pages

Thomas Hobbes proposed that the ideal government should be an absolute monarchy as a direct result of experiencing the English Civil War, in which there was internal conflict between the parliamentarians and the royalists. Hobbes made this claim under the assumption that an absolute monarchy would produce consistent policies, reduce conflicts and lower the risk of civil wars due to the singular nature of this ruling system. On another hand, John Locke counters this proposal with the view that absolute monarchies are not legitimate as they are inconsistent with the state of nature. These two diametrically opposed views stem from Hobbes’ and Locke’s different understandings of human nature, namely with regard to power relationships, punishment, and equality in the state of nature. Hobbes’ belief that human beings are selfish and appetitive is antithetical with Locke’s contention that human beings are intrinsically moral even in the state of nature, which results in Locke’s strong disagreement with Hobbes’ proposed absolute monarchy.

Read More

Similarities Between Plato And John Locke

1333 Words | 6 Pages

Only those who are born with true philosophical understanding can rule. In the Second Treatise by John Locke, Locke addresses the state of nature, which is essentially equality and freedom. Even though people have liberty, they still need to obey natural laws. On the contrary of Plato’s just city, Locke believes that absolute authority is not a civil government. A civil society is where the majority rules.

Read More

More about Locke Vs Hobbes

Related Topics

Open Document