Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
Born in Malmesbury, England 1588
Educated at Oxford University
Fled to France in order to write De Cive (1642) - Theory of government
Wrote Leviathan, Or the Matter, form and Power of a Commonwealth
Ecclesiastical and Civil that highlighted and explained his work De Cive.
Theory of Human Nature
Leviathan Explains that we are organic machines that respond to
stimuli. In this theory Hobbes says that all humans follow three basic premises of
nature:
* Humans are subjective - All that we do is based upon one’s personal past
experiences. Societal evils and pleasures are naturally despised.
* Self-interested - As machines, we only work to further our own needs. Altruism is
just a front for self-interest.
* Rationale - Means of doing an action matter more than the end result.
Social Contract Theory
Our self interest leads to barbaric acts. However, our rationale realizes the
benefits of civility. It is because of our rationale that we seek to have a leader.
If the leader becomes weak, or does not hold absolute power, the society is sent
into unrest. Human nature is relatively evil.
John Locke (1632-1704)
Born in Wrington, England 1632
Educated at Oxford University
1672-1673 served as England’s Secretary of Trade
1675 Moved to France and later to Holland
Wrote An Essay Concerning Human Understanding - questioned religious and
moral beliefs for empirical, tangible evidence.
Also wrote Two Treatises on Government - Liberal government philosophies
Theory on Social Nature
Believed much the same as Hobbes, except that there was actual objective truth.
Morality stemmed from natural law. The “State of Nature” was to do what is best and
not what is wanted by an individual.
Social Contract Theory
Government is formed when people are willing to give up personal liberties for
security. Laws are decided in order to restrict actions, but are made in order to
protect citizens. If government fails to protect, the citizens are free to
overthrow the government. Human nature is relatively good.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Born in Geneva, Switzerland 1712
1741 Traveling musician
He wrote Social Contract and On Education due to the controversial nature of his
writings, he was forced to flee to Prussia and later England.
His writings focused on learning through experience rather than learning through
books.
Questioned reason and fathered the ideals of the Renaissance.
Died in Paris 1778
Theory on the State of Nature
The original state of nature is such that everyone seeks peace and prosperity for
the whole. However, with the development of private property, people began to turn
to greed and envy as they compared themselves to others. In this way, government
was set up in order to allow those who were rich to control the society.
Social Contract Theory
Rousseau argued that government was a sham. It was publically set up for the sake
of protecting the needs of the people. However, the true intent of government was
to protect the wealthy, who controlled the government. He stated that the only way
that the needs of society are to be met is with an overturning of the government
for one that favors an equal say in the policies and laws of the government.
Rousseau argued that a representative democracy did not hold the power needed in
order to protect the citizens from corrupted officials. It is through a direct
democracy that people are able to protect themselves from corruption and that they
can secure their needs.