theorists Thomas Hobbes and John Locke agree that legitimate government comes only from the mutual consent of those governed. Although both were empiricists‚ the ways by which they came to their conclusions differed wildly‚ and perhaps as a result their views on the means by which society should be governed also conflicted. This paper will briefly address the different conclusions as well as the reasoning that led to them. Written during the English Civil War of 1642-51‚ Hobbes’ Leviathan is presented
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two of the greatest political and philosophical thinkers of their time and ours. Ideas like these have shaped governments throughout history and still hold true today. They had extremely different views on government‚ but the bases of their arguments were similar. They used reason to justify their ideas‚ rather than divine right. Although both men acknowledged that there was a God‚ He played a very small part in their ideologies. The philosophers each had an impact
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Hobbes vs. Locke: Development and Expansion of Political Thought Comparing and Contrasting Hobbes Leviathan and Locke’s Second Treatise of Government This essay will compare and contrast several of the political theories on natural law‚ the need for government and structure thereof‚ as expressed in Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government. Similarities and differences of political theories are found in these two works‚ posing the question of whether Locke’s
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke will be explored to compare their goals for the ideal sate. Hobbes and Locke were significant political philosophers‚ predominantly in the 17th Century‚ most importantly for being natural law and social contract theorists. Hobbes and Locke both vary in their approaches as Hobbes is labelled a pessimist‚ while Locke is considered an optimist‚ influencing how they perceive the idea state to look like. The social contract theory was addressed by Hobbes first then Locke later
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Hobbes vs. Locke Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were known as Social Contract Theorists‚ and Natural Law Theorists. The two men both had very strong views on freedom and how a country should be governed. Thomas Hobbes had more of a Pessimistic view while John locke had more of an Optimistic view. Hobbes and Locke believed in a type of Social Contract between the Government and being governed. Hobbes believed in Absolute Monarchs and Locke believed in the will of people being governed. Hobbes opposed
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Enlightenment‚ freedom‚ and Political rights: creating a “just” society Hobbes: “life is nasty‚ brutish‚ and short...” Pessimistic about humans fear of anarchy--bad for economics Ultimate power with strong ruler “Leviathan” John Locke: “Wherever law ends‚ tyranny begins.” Rights: “life‚ liberty‚ and property...” optimistic about humans IF equality and tolerance.... ultimate power with people Thomas Hobbe’s In Leviathan‚ Thomas Hobbe’s argued that ordinary people were incapable of
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Hobbes vs. Locke: Political Theories Both Hobbes and Locke shared similarities within their political theories; however their theories also had some major differences. Both men were responding to the crisis of the 17th century and they were highly influenced by the scientific revolution. Hobbes and Locke rejected all previous theories regarding human nature. They used the same methodology‚ and the men accepted an atomistic view of society. They believed that individuals were rational and were motivated
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I will investigate both men’s ideas individually and offer my own views on their theories. I will conclude the paper by comparing and contrasting the notions introduced in their respective writings. Thomas Hobbes was born in Wiltshire‚ England in 1588. He lived in one of the most unsettled periods in English history. Following a rebellion against King Charles‚ there resulted a civil war‚ which began in 1642. As a consequence of this political instability‚ Hobbes was forced
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political philosopher and social contract theorists of all time‚ John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both used ‘The State of Nature’ as a medium in order to understand the basic human nature and natural human rights in their writings. Both‚ then used their own understanding of the human nature in order to determine and justify the ideal form of government‚ its role and its powers. However‚ Locke and Hobbes reach markedly different conclusions. Hobbes argues that every man should concede all of his natural rights
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that was John Locke. Government should be run how John Locke argues because‚ the government should be fair‚ run where people have rights and freedoms‚ and provide equality for all. People should be able to control their lives and have a say on
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