They are thomas hobbes, john locke and jeanjacques rousseau. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is. John locke believed that men were born free, are generally peaceful beings, and that they were capable of collaborative decisionmaking to ensure upholding their natural rights to life, liberty, and especially property. Leah schulz professor jennifer hanson history 2 81010 september 07, 2017 hobbes vs.
Thomas hobbes and the french revolution research papers. Hobbes assumed that war was a natural state of being. How did thomas hobbes and john locke view the purpose of government. Comparing and contrasting thomas hobbes and john locke. Describe the beliefs of john locke, rousseau, and thomas hobbes locke natural rights and consent of the governed, rousseauindividual freedom, hobbes supported monarchs because people are cruel and selfish. They both are in favor of a popular contract or constitution, which is where the people give the power to govern to their government. Both created great philosophical texts that help to portray the role of government in a mans life, as well as their vision of mans state of nature. Two views of the social contract in the 1600s, two english thinkers, thomas hobbes and john locke, set forth ideas that were to become key to the enlightenment. Thomas hobbes and john locke were two great political theorists of their time. Although hobbes and locke were arguing for very different ideas, they had a major thing in common both were using the idea of rationality and experience as opposed to arguing from authority. John kenyon, in his study of british political debate from 1689 to 1720, has remarked that lockes theories were mentioned so rarely in the early stages of the glorious revolution, up to 1692, and even less thereafter, unless it was to heap abuse on them and that no one, including most whigs, were ready for the idea of a notional or. Apr 17, 2012 thomas hobbes and john locke both have made contributions to modern political science and they both had similar views on where power lies in a society.
The political theories of thomas hobbes and john locke. Introduction thomas hobbes and john locke were both natural law theorists and social contracts theorists. Thomas hobbes and john locke both have made contributions to modern political science and they both had similar views on where power lies in a society. John locke believed that the state of nature meant people living together, using reason to govern their lives without the need for a common superior, or leader. John locke and thomas hobbes were both political philosophers who developed theories about how the government should work. Comparing and contrasting thomas hobbes and john locke free. This essay explores the historical context of each. Get an answer for thomas hobbes vs john locke a discussion on the opinions of hobbes and locke regarding natural law, mankinds natural characteristics, and the purpose and structure of. Humans, given a chance, are basically capable of doing good people need to be free, to be educated, and their natural rights protected if government fails to protect natural rights, it is the duty of the people to revolt and support a government that respects these rights or thomas hobbes. Thomas hobbes and the french revolution research papers the political theories of thomas hobbes also had an impact on the french revolution. This paper discusses the differences and similarities between the two philosophers discussions of this topic.
As a witness to some of the harshest cruelty against catholics in british history, thomas hobbes developed a world view that was shaped by a negative perspective of. Thomas hobbes and john locke were both seventeenth century english thinkers and writers. He became famous when his book, leviathan, laid the foundation of. Yet they came to very different conclusions about human nature and the purpose and nature of government.
Thomas hobbes and john locke applied fundamentally similar methodologies and presuppositions to create justifications for statehood. Use this topic or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be. His idea of people being selfish and brutal and his thoughts on the role of government led to more investigations such as by john locke. Due to his pessimistic view of man in the state of nature he came to the conclusion that all power should reside in the hands of an absolutist monarch. Locke and hobbes were both social contract theorists, and both natural law theorists natural law in the sense of saint thomas aquinas, not natural law in the sense of newton, but there the resemblance ends. They set up their theories around the natural law and the social contract theory. Hobbes believed, and argued strongly, that the state of nature humans without government was nasty, brutish, and short that is, it was really, really terrible. Both believed that a monarch should have absolute authority. The political philosophies of thomas hobbes and john locke. Thomas hobbes and john locke were two of the great biased political theorists of their time enlightenment ear. Social contract theorists still shaping todays administrative state when most hear the term natural law, their minds immediately wander back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They expressed their ideas in their works, hobbess leviathan and lockes two treatises of government. Both studied the ideas and art of ancient greece and rome.
All three of them lived in completely different environments and. The state of nature is a representation of human existence prior to the existence of society understood in a more contemporary sense. Although john locke and thomas hobbes had a similar goal, their beliefs and opinions were definitely not the same. It is argued that hobbes and locke differ most drastically on the notion of who the sovereign is. I have attempted to make the text more readable while preserving hobbes message. Hobbes writings refuted the parliamentary system of england and questioned whether citizens should be involved in government. The state of nature in john locke, thomas hobbes and. Both men lived through the upheavals that shook england early in the century. Hobbes is well known for writing leviathan and locke is well known for writing treatises on government. Philosophers thomas hobbes and john locke both believed. Major figures of the enlightenment period include voltaire, isaac newton, john locke, thomas hobbes, david hume, jeanjacques rousseau, adam smith, immanuel kant, and thomas jefferson.
John locke and thomas hobbes were known as social contract theorists as well as natural law theorists. This is a topic suggestion on thomas hobbes and the french revolution from paper masters. People are only interested in satisfying their needs and desires, and would do this at any cost even stealing, killingetc locke people are reasonable. Hobbes and locke on the rights of man mit opencourseware. Each had their own views the governments role and human nature which were vastly different from one another. John locke thomas hobbes and john locke were to philosophers with opposing opinions on human nature and the state of nature. There were three men who are historically linked to social contract theory. 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. Lockes writings influenced the american founding fathers views on life and liberty and encouraged citizen involvement. However, they are both completely different in terms of their stand and conclusions in several laws of nature. Lock believed that humans in the state of nature were not that badly off, but the.
John locke and thomas hobbes disagreed on the subject of absolutism. John locke arrived midway through hobbes life, on august 29, 1632. The state of nature hobbes and locke refer to is what humanity would look like if all forms of government were taken away and humans were left to act solely based on instinct. Comparing john locke and thomas hobbes essay 1241 words cram. Hobbes argued that people were naturally cruel, greedy and selfish that life in a state of nature was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short and that only a powerful absolute monarchy could bring order to society. Thomas hobbes came into the world on april 5, 1588 and quickly became a welleducated young man who eventually became a wellknown philosopher. Thomas hobbes and john locke were two of the most influential philosophers of government in the seventeenth century. All other natural law theorists assumed that man was by nature a social animal. Dec 25, 2017 thomas hobbes and john locke both have made contributions to modern political science and they both had similar views on where power lies in a society. John locke believed that the government existed in order to help protect people and to help society function, while thomas hobbes believed that people needed the government to tell them what to do, or otherwise, there would be nothing but fighting among people.
John locke, and thomas hobbes, had very different opinions on people and on politics. What was the goal of enlightenment writers such as hobbes and. Thomas hobbes left an everlasting influence on political thought. What thomas hobbes and john locke both believed what.
Leviathan or the matter, forme and power of a commonwealth ecclesiasticall and civil, commonly referred to as leviathan, is a book written by thomas hobbes 15881679 and published in 1651 revised latin edition 1668. What did thomas hobbes and john locke both believe answers. Comparing john locke and thomas hobbes essay 1241 words. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Hobbes studied before the enlightenment, whereas that influenced john locke s views immensely. The state of nature is a concept used in political philosophy by most enlightenment philosophers, such as thomas hobbes and john locke. John locke, thomas hobbes and jeanjacques rousseau and their political theories and ideologies had an immense influence on the shaping of european or even western governmental systems and society. Locke saw humanity and life with optimism and community, whereas hobbes only thought of humans as being capable of living a more violent, selfinterested lifestyle which would lead to civil unrest. The right of revolution in the social contract theories of thomas hobbes and john locke is a curious topic. Thomas hobbes april 5, 1588december 4, 1679 and john locke august 29, 1632october 28, 1704, although in agreement in some of their assertions about human nature and the need for government, held radically different perspectives about the ability of people to govern themselves. Thomas hobbes 1651 and john locke 1690 were both english philosophers who wrote important articles regarding the state of nature, social contracts, and the role of. Thomas hobbes 15881679 and john locke 16321704 greatly disagreed on many key issues of their day.
Apr 22, 2012 compare and contrast the views of thomas hobbes and john locke. John locke and thomas hobbes essay 1077 words bartleby. Difference between locke and hobbes difference between. Although hobbes and locke were arguing for very different ideas, they had a major thing in common both were using the idea of rationality and experience as. How did thomas hobbes and john locke view the purpose of. How to compare and contrast thomas hobbes and john locke. Thomas hobbes and john locke both were influential in the development of the social contract theory. Thomas hobbes 15881679 and john locke 16321704 were both great thinkers of their time and noted for their influences on political thinking. Thomas hobbes and john locke were european philosophers.
The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of. Hobbes and locke were both men of influence who lived in england during times of war and civil unrest. Hobbes believed an absolutist governing body was the only way to prevent warfare and keep society in check. Each philosopher has a unique viewpoint on the nature of man, mans relationship with society, and mans relationship with government. Both hobbes and locke made contributions to modern political science and they also had similar views on where powers lie in society. What was the goal of enlightenment writers such as hobbes. Though hobbes and lockes views of how society would function in this state of nature differ, they both agree that a form of government is necessary. After the revolution, his ideas also influenced federalists in arguments to adopt the constitution. They both provided wonderful philosophical texts on how our government should govern us. The english philosophers thomas hobbes 15881679 and john locke 16321704 promulgated divergent views of human rights that reflected both the influence of their respective times and fundamentally different attitudes towards human nature. Comparing the social contracts of hobbes and locke thomas mouritz abstract locke and hobbes both share a vision of the social contract as instrumental in a states political stability. Whereas today we have democrats and republicans arguing over these issues, in 17thcentury england, the two prevailing viewpoints were best exemplified by the writings of thomas hobbes and john locke.
Contract theories john locke and thomas hobbes social. Hobbes and locke hobbes and locke were both men of. John locke and thomas hobbes disagreed on the subject of. Jan 05, 2010 thomas hobbes came into the world on april 5, 1588 and quickly became a welleducated young man who eventually became a wellknown philosopher. Locke argued that people were naturally reasonable and moral. If you would prefer to read the original text, you may do. Thomas hobbes 1651 and john locke 1690 were both english philosophers who wrote important articles regarding the state of nature, social contracts, and the role of government during the enlightenment period. Thomas hobbes and john locke were two main political philosophers during the seventeenth century. Thomas hobbes was an english philosopher from malmesbury. In their essays, both men address the characteristics of man, natural law, and the purpose and structure of government. What are the ideas of thomas hobbes and john locke. Locke both, hobbes and locke, were known as social contract theorists as well as natural law theorists. Both were affected by the horrors the english war c.
Hobbes wrote in elizabethan english, so his original text reads like shakespeare or the king james bible. Contract theories john locke and thomas hobbes social the. They both are in favor of a popular contract or constitution, which is where. Enlightenment philosophers such as john locke, thomas hobbes and jean jacques rousseau creep into the mind. How were thomas hobbes and catherine the great similar. Considered one of the first of the british empiricists, following the tradition of sir francis bacon, he is equally important to social contract theory.
The state of nature is a representation of human existence prior to the existence of society. Thomas hobbes and john locke were european philosophers who influenced american founding documents with which theory. This paper will show the largest differences and some of the similarities between thomas hobbes leviathan and john lockes second treatise on civil government. What did the french government argue that the encyclopedia was and what did the pope threatened to do to roman catholics who bought or read the volumes. All three of them lived in completely different environments and under other circumstances. These and many other great thinkers of the era influenced mass social upheaval in pursuit of equality and human rights, and many historians consider the. They both are in favor of a popular contract or constitution, which is were the people give the power to govern to their government. Both men lived the majority of their lives in their home country, england.
Locke supported a representative government such as the english parliament, while. Hobbes is the well known author of leviathan, and locke is the author of an essay concerning human understanding. Thomas hobbes leviathan and john lockes second treatise. Richey discusses the works of thomas hobbes and john locke, two of the most influential philosophers of government in the seventeenth century.