Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are infamous philosophers that shaped modern political theory, philosophy, ethics, etc. This essay seeks to analyze the differences and similarities between the states of nature each philosopher believes to exist Thomas Hobbes Essay. In Thomas Hobbes essay about Morality as Rational Advantage he discusses how his development of the social conflict theory helps emerge individuals to make a decision in a society where everyone can mutually agree. He talks into perspective of what life would be like without a government Nov 22, · Thomas Hobbes Essay. Thomas Hobbes is a prominent English philosopher and political thinker. He integrated political thought and philosophy and proposed his model of the state structure providing it with philosophical explanations.
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The state of nature is a concept used in philosophy to create an image of a hypothetical condition in which there is no political thomas hobbes essay or association. This concept is used to portray a society in which we no longer abide by the rule of law. Philosophers have used the idea of a thomas hobbes essay of nature to argue that the state is based on an agreement between people to live together under laws, or a social contract. Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau take opposing stances on the state of nature, and therefore take differing views on the authority and justification of the state.
Hobbes developed his state of nature theory amongst the context of the time, the English civil war. Hobbes was becoming more and more worried about the outcome of the war, and the disastrous consequences of a world without authority. Hobbes took a negative view of human nature, with the idea that man was solely self-interested, and was only interested in the pursuit of power. Hobbes believed that human beings naturally desire the power to live well and that they will never be satisfied with the power they have without acquiring more power. Because of this view of human nature, Hobbes believed that the natural state of nature would be anarchical and violent as there is no rule of law to restrain human nature.
Hobbes believed that without a strong state to referee and umpire disputes and differences amongst the population, everyone fears and mistrusts other members of society. Also, with no overarching authority, there can be no justice or functioning society. The thomas hobbes essay way of bringing this untenable state of nature is if the individuals surrender their natural rights and self-sovereignty to a higher political authority, or state. The social contract, therefore, is a means in which individuals can leave the state of nature, thomas hobbes essay, and join civilised society. And therefore, it was vital to have a strong government, to protect its citizens and enforce the laws of nature, and lapse into a state of war. By this he meant that humans thomas hobbes essay live in a world, free to do what we want, though only if we abide by the laws of nature.
Gress, What Locke meant by this is that, humans are free to do as they please, as long as they are not harming others in the process. Geraint Williams stated that it was clear that, thomas hobbes essay, before government, men in the state of nature were naturally free and equal. Williams goes on further to stress that they were free within a structured way of living by the existence of natural laws Williams, Though Locke felt that in the state of nature, the law of nature cannot be truly enforced, and therefore, the contract is made with a political authority to enforce the law of nature and natural rights more consistently and to institute an impartial power capable of adjudicating their disputes and to right wrongs.
Tuckness, Though Locke suggests that as the government exists by consent, if they fail to protect the natural rights, they can be resisted and replaced with a new authority. The state of nature concept was also central to the philosophy of Rousseau. He took a different stance to both Hobbes and Locke on human nature, thomas hobbes essay, and the state of nature. Like Hobbes and Locke, he agreed that the most basic feature of human nature was the motivation for self-preservation, thomas hobbes essay. But Rousseau felt thomas hobbes essay both Hobbes and Locke had overlooked a key aspect of human nature, compassion, which he felt meant they had misjudged the probability of conflict thomas hobbes essay the state of nature.
Christopher Bertram states that Rousseau claimed that human beings were naturally good by nature, but had been corrupted by society Bertram, This is a direct opposition to Hobbes, who claimed that humans were naturally selfish by nature. Rousseau therefore argued that the state of nature could only be the state preceding society. Rousseau felt that the state of nature was naturally morally neutral and peaceful, as it was comprised of individuals who act on their basic needs, such as hunger, and the desire for self-preservation. Though Rousseau believed that the desire for self-preservation was equally matched by an equal sense of compassion for others.
In the discourse on the origin of inequality, Rousseau criticised other theorists such as Hobbes and Locke for portraying man in the state of nature with attributes they found in their own corrupted societies. Rousseau states that individuals leave the state of nature by becoming increasingly civilised, and through this gradual process, we see humans become more and more corrupted by society Rousseau Rousseau depicted the contract through which government is manifested as a deception perpetrated by the wealthy upper class upon the poor working class. In the social contract, written by Rousseau, he writes what he believes would be the best way to establish a political community.
This quote from the Social Contract illustrates the point that Rousseau views humans as compassionate beings, and in a well governed state which is not corrupted, humans will remain in this state, thomas hobbes essay. In conclusion all three theorists put forward different arguments in relation to the state of nature, thomas hobbes essay. Because of this, the state of nature would naturally lead to a state of war, as there is no strong government to referee its civilians. Because of this, Hobbes was an advocate of strong government, to stop its citizens drifting back into a state of nature.
Locke, on the other hand, disagreed with the idea of the state of nature being a state of war. Locke believed that humans were naturally characterised tolerance and reason, thomas hobbes essay, therefore believing that even in the state of nature, humans can live good lives. Though Locke was a firm believer in the natural laws, and he felt it was best that there was a strong government to protect our natural rights. Rousseau took a completely different stance from both Hobbes and Locke. He took a much more positive view of human nature, labelling humans as compassionate.
He felt that that the state of nature, in complete opposition to Hobbes, was peaceful and moral, suggesting that society was corrupted this. Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student. Starting from 3 hours delivery. Sorry, copying is not allowed on our website. We will occasionally send you account related emails. This essay is not unique. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay, thomas hobbes essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper. Want us to write one just for you? We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. This essay has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Hobbes' State of Nature Subject: Philosophy Category: Philosophers Topic: Thomas hobbes essay Hobbes Pages 3 Words: Published: 15 November Downloads: 91 Download Print.
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Thomas Hobbes Essay. In Thomas Hobbes essay about Morality as Rational Advantage he discusses how his development of the social conflict theory helps emerge individuals to make a decision in a society where everyone can mutually agree. He talks into perspective of what life would be like without a government Nov 29, · Essay Sample: If you value gaining a better understanding of yourself and the world, and of the life that is best for you, then philosophy is most likely worth a few Thomas Hobbes, writer of the book Leviathan, imagined what life would be like if we didn’t have a government (state of nature). Get quality help now. blogger.comted Reading Time: 4 mins Nov 22, · Thomas Hobbes Essay. Thomas Hobbes is a prominent English philosopher and political thinker. He integrated political thought and philosophy and proposed his model of the state structure providing it with philosophical explanations.
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