Politics: Political Philosophy and John Locke Essay

Submitted By Montevan
Words: 1504
Pages: 7
Open Document
Hobbes VS. Locke

Political Science 2300
Introduction to political thought
Dr. G. Michael Stathis, Ph.D.
Autumn Semester 2012
Take home essay #3

By, Monte Van Buskirk

In this paper I will discussing contrasts, and similarities between Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. Their views on popular contract/constitution. And many other different parts of their ideas and thoughts that contrast each other completely. I will compare their ideas on things like human nature, the necessary amount of government, how they both viewed the role of the individual in society, and what they both thought of revolution, and what they thought it should be, and how it should be gone about. Also I will discuss how John Locke can be seen as an honorary founding member of the United States of America. To start out with a little background on both men. Thomas Hobbes was born on April 5th 1588, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, England. He was the son of the vicar of Charlton, and Westport, but his father was thrown out of the town for fighting in front of his own church. So Hobbes and two siblings went to live with a wealthy uncle. At the age of 14 he attended Oxford, and earned his degree in five years time. John Locke was born on August 29th, 1632 in a small thatched cottage by the church in Wrington, Somerset, about twelve miles from Bristol. At the age of 15 he was sent to the prestigious school of Westminster in London. He in time obtained his bachelors degree, and two years later he was also awarded his masters degree. Later he also earned his bachelors degree in medicine which he had studied extensively at Oxford. The “popular contract” is a theory or model, that typically addresses the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual. Social contract arguments typically posit that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler or magistrate (or to the decision of a majority), in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. The question of the relation between natural and legal rights, therefore, is often an aspect of social contract theory. Both Hobbes and Locke had similar beliefs concerning this theory, but with some very important differences. Hobbes asserted that men consent to abdicate their rights in favor of the absolute authority of government (whether monarchial or parliamentary). While Locke believed that natural rights were completely inalienable and that therefore the rule of God superseded government authority. In almost all other issues that can be brought up in any form of political theory or thoughts, Hobbes and Locke completely disagree with each other. The two men were both born in relatively close proximity of each other in a time period that is also pretty close to each other. They both have backgrounds that include prestigious schools, degrees, and an involvement in the church in some aspects. Some strong cases of the way they disagree can be made in many different issues. First of all the issue of human nature. Thomas Hobbes believed that man was not naturally a social animal, and that the only reason that society existed was because the will of the state. While John Locke was completely on the other side of the spectrum and fully believed that man was a completely social animal naturally without any sort of influence from the state. Through such thoughts as this one on human nature we can see in more detail that Hobbes believed that humans were in nature more violent, and in ways ran more on what seems to be implied as instinct. While John Locke had serious beliefs of human nature that humans most of the time kept their promises, and took care of most of their obligations. He believed that naturally there was always an amount of peace between men. As far as their views on the question of the necessity of government in any state, they also
Show More

Related Documents: Politics: Political Philosophy and John Locke Essay

Enlightenment: Political Philosophy and Thomas Hobbes Essay

governance, and law which sparked reform in the political structure and more constitutions. Two well known political philosophers were Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. They had different views of politics, the citizen’s role in society, human rights, and how they promoted the ideas of Nationalism which is how they impacted the world. Their ideas conflicted each other which drew different opinions from the noble and common. Thomas Hobbes was an English political philosopher who supported royal absolutism…

Words 629 - Pages 3

John Locke Research Paper

Rapid Rise to an Influential Innovation "Of all the men we meet with, nine parts of ten are what they are, good or evil useful or not, by their education. Tis this that makes the great difference in mankind." (Locke) John Locke explains in this quotation, the importance of education. Locke is a man to stress education and he expresses in this quote how education is what makes a man. He believes no matter a man's propensity, naturally, or a man's born inclinations, it is his education in which will…

Words 1516 - Pages 7

John Locke Hobbs Compare And Contrast

and contrasts about john locke and thomas hobbs. First thing we are going to be talking about is the thing that are alike. So let's see what we can find. Ok so here is what i found to compare John Locke and Thomas Hobbs. Both went to christ church, oxford. Both locke's and hobb`s both died in the U.K, they both was an english philosopher, they was both political, they both worked with human minds, they both believed about the human natural. Some stuff they have different is lockes was born in august…

Words 544 - Pages 3

How Did John Locke Impact Society

Born in Somerset, England in 1932, John Locke was one of the most important and influential philosophers ever. He was widely considered to be one of the greatest English philosophers and a leading figure in the fields of metaphysics, epistemology and political philosophy. He also made large contributions to education, theology, medicine, physics, economics, and politics. The French Enlightenment drew heavily on his ideas, as well as the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution. He expressed the…

Words 448 - Pages 2

Jada: Political Philosophy and Social Contract Essay example

Jada Lewis World History Coach Mac B1 September 27,2013 Enlightenment Some of the famous philosophers who wrote works on their social and political philosophies were Thomas Hobbes, Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke. These political philosophers each had unique views of the human race and how it should be disciplined to create the best society. These philosophers not only profoundly influenced European views and history, but also that of America, where…

Words 1023 - Pages 5

Governmental Philsophies: Locke vs. Hobbes Essay

Hobbes concluded that by scientific laws, everything could be predicted exactly. Hobbes concluded that no God, no immortal human soul existed-only matter. Hobbes was additionally influenced by the social upheaval in England, as well Descartes’ philosophies of which he strongly disagreed with. Hobbes advocated a strong central government, of which he believed could unify the people under common rules to maintain harmony and protect citizens from their own selfishness. 3. Hobbes believed in a strong…

Words 819 - Pages 4

John Locke Research Paper

John Locke was a 17th century English philosopher and physician known as the "Father of Classical Liberalism". Counted amongst the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers, he was the first to define the self through a continuity of consciousness. His writings contributed greatly to the development of the fields of political philosophy, epistemology, and education. His works inspired generations of philosophers to follow, and significantly influenced the likes of Voltaire and Rousseau. Born as…

Words 984 - Pages 4

Crime Prevention Essay

Social Contract Theory of John Locke AJS 532 15 February 2013 Fred Olguin Fred Dozier Social Contract Theory of John Locke Identifiable Values As…

Words 1750 - Pages 7

John Locke Research Paper

Per the Political Philosophy by Steven Cahn, one could easily argue that Marxist ideas may have come to exist with the assistance of John Locke's earlier theories of government. John Locke and Karl Marx are two of the most noted and influential modern political thinkers. John Locke was a deeply political and intelligent English philosopher who had survived intense religious and political conflicts. His legacy was immortalized in the phrase "men have a right to life, liberty, and property." On the…

Words 991 - Pages 4

The Enlightenment

of this article is explaining the Enlightenment of John Locke, Isaac Newton, Jeremy Bentham and discussing the influences of the Enlightenment in today's Hong Kong. Firstly, there have been three Enlightenments demonstrated by John Locke: the right to life, the right to liberty and the right to properties. Locke declared that everyone had some natural rights in their most natural state which started since God first created their ancestors. As Locke mentioned that, nobody may “take away or impair the…

Words 938 - Pages 4