John Locke and Thomas Hobbes‚ more Locke than Hobbes however‚ have been enormous influential political philosophers for the modern political thought and development of England and the Americas. The topic and phrase “state of nature” is used and discussed significantly throughout. The similarities are shown extensively‚ but there are many differing views of opinion as well. While they both discuss how the state of nature is dangerous‚ Hobbes is more pessimistic‚ where Locke‚ on the other hand
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Arden Bentley AP Euro 3/9/13 Thomas Hobbes‚ John Locke and Jean-Racques Rosseau were philosophers who stated their belief of human nature and how we should govern mankind. Although Rousseau was born a different time than Hobbes and Locke‚ they all had a very strong influence on the way governments should function. They created a revolutionary idea of the state of nature‚ the way men were before a government came into play. Each philosopher developed guidelines and responsibilities that the government
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both set out important arguments on the nature of government that continue to influence the way in which we think about the relationship between the governed and the government. Compare and contrast Hobbes’ and Locke’s arguments‚ with specific reference both to their reading of the “state of nature” and the kind of contract that each imagines to exist in the very concept of a governed community. Although each is making claims to a universal understanding of man‚ to what
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of Nature and Hobbes’ State of Nature were that they both had different outlooks on the meaning of State of War and on people’s reaction to and with government. Locke believed that State of Nature is not equivalent to State of War whereas Hobbes made it seem that a State of Nature isn’t a safe place. Hobbes descried a State of Nature to be more violent and a state that people should fear. Locke’s view was more neutral compared to Hobbes’ idea. From what I read‚ it seemed that Locke believed the State
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This paper explores‚ in three parts‚ Thomas Hobbes’ and John Locke’s competing conceptions of natural laws and rights‚ via Leviathan and Second Treatise of Government respectively. The arguments of both men follow a similar path: the establishment of the state of nature and laws and rights therein‚ the social contracting to eliminate undesirable aspects of such a state‚ and the detailing of explicit conditions that meet the desired end of peaceful society. Thus‚ the paper will be divided into three
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English philosophers Hobbes and Locke had different sets of ideas about government and people. Hobbes ideas are harsher‚ but reasonable while Locke’s ideas are moral and optimistic. As the movie‚ Lord of the flies exemplifies that even though Hobbes believed humans are born with passion and reason‚ Locke’s ideas would create a much more stable and functioning society because people have the right to life‚ liberty‚ property and to revolt against an abusive government. Locke believed that people have
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two separate concepts but the state of nature has the fundamental problem and civil government is the solution for the problems of the state of nature. After analyzing how Locke and Hobbes understand the state of nature it is evident that they share many ideas but they also show essential differences in their ideas. Hobbes regards the state of nature as a state of war‚ in which natural law is established only after a process of reasoning. This process leads men to the conclusion that they must
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In today’s society the government is a combination of both Hobbes and Locke political views. The government merged the ideas of the two philosophers and took their best points. The government should not consist of total freedom but it also should not consist of total structure‚ there need to be a bit of both‚ a balance of both. During Locke’s argument he never factor in how the people were going deem what rights were justifiable and what right were unjust. With that being said anyone in the state
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are some of the most famous philosophers‚ which also had a huge impact on government. Hobbes and Locke have opposing viewpoints when it comes to the state of nature‚ which refers to the lack of social structures. Hobbes views the natural state as unsatisfactory‚ believes revolutions are wrong and that nature has more of an effect on someone than nurture. However‚ Hobbes and Locke agree that some form of government is needed for society‚ proving that Hobbes and Locke have
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Thomas Hobbes and John Lock‚ had two very different theories that have swung back and forth through people’s minds. Complete opposites that are grouped in one major debate that has only been named only recently‚ one that has been raging as long as humanity itself‚ Hobbes vs. Locke. Human nature in Hobbes eyes is a foul‚ corrupted thing. Like a beast‚ soiled with foul breath and a mangled appearance. He said human nature was inherently evil‚ wicked but polished to disguise our foul innards. Locke
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