According to Locke, protecting the private property of individuals is the most important role of the ruler. For Locke this also played a pivotal role in founding governments that he believed man would create to represent the ideal society. Lockes concept of the state of nature is very different from Hobbess. Both of their views differed in terms of how man should live his life. 
Locke believed that all people possess three fundamental rights: life, liberty, and property. 
Locke, on the other hand, favored a more open approach to state-building. This idea is embodied in his first law of nature, which expects humans to strive for peace. He believed that power would emulate from the people upwards to form a government. As a result of this inherent lack of security in a world where all men are enemies of one another, there is no industry because people may not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Lockes law of naturethe obligation that created beings have to obey their creatorconstitutes the foundation of the state of nature. However, because some people violate this law, governments are needed. Second, there is no government. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you One important area where Locke's ideas differ from Hobbes is where he believes that if the governing body (or the ruler) fails to safeguard the rights of the people, then they can challenge the authority figures. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. The conflictmarked by religious violence between Catholics and Protestants, shameless dynastic maneuvering, famine, disease, and other unimaginable atrocities,still ranks among one of the largest disasters to affect Europe to this day. For Hobbes he believed education that did not reaffirm the absolute power of the monarch inherently destabilized the nation. Both present a stateless scenario but draw completely different conclusions, with inhabitants of Locke's state of nature having greater security than those in Hobbes'. As such this remains one of the primary differences between John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. While the state of nature according to Locke is not nearly so horrible as that envisioned by Hobbes, it is still not an ideal place. 
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Hobbes philosophy is actually best summed up on the cover of his most famous treatise,The Leviathan, which shows a massive monarchical figure made up of the teeming subjects that have willingly submitted to his rule to keep the peace. Locke also thought the state of nature was a state of equality and freedom but in a much different way than Hobbes. Hobbess concept of the state of nature is based on a particular view of human nature. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! Locke, on the contrary, believes that people are naturally inclined toward cooperation and respect for each others rights as individuals. WebUnlike Hobbes, Locke believed individuals are naturally endowed with these rights (to life, liberty, and property) and that the state of nature could be relatively peaceful. This, in turn, leads to the study of the relationship between political states, keeping the idea of the anarchic state of nature in mind and maintaining political governance accordingly. Hobbes wasn't very optimistic about people. Hobbes believed this was the best form of government because it could react extremely fast to potential hazards of state; both internal and external. Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning TolerationBy: John Locke, On the Social ContractBy: Jean-JacquesRousseau. They aim to explain that political association serves the individual interest and keeps society from falling apart. Jean Jacques Rousseau Beliefs & Works | What Did Rousseau Believe In? Locke also thought the state of nature was a state of equality and freedom but in a much different way than Hobbes. That given the chance a natural human being would take 
Locke, on the other hand, was the son of a cavalry officer in fellow Puritan Oliver Cromwells New Model Army, placing him firmly on the Parliamentary side in the war. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. John Locke's and Thomas Hobbes' accounts of the state of nature differ greatly regarding individual security. . It is not a piece of paper that is signed but rather a hypothetical, understood arrangement between rational individuals. 
John Locke considers the state of nature in his Second Treatise on Civil Government written around the time of the Exclusion Crisis in England during the 1680s. John Locke. that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. In political philosophy, a social contract implies an agreement between the people to be governed and protected by a higher authority. Aristotle's Political Philosophy | Influences, Development & Impact, Comparing Ancient & Modern Political Theory, Thomas Hobbes vs. John Lock | Hobbes & Lock on the Social Contract. You'd look out for your interests, but you wouldn't hoard food so others couldn't have any. 
It is reasonable to assume that humans, centuries ago in a state of nature, had these same instincts but without the temperance of law, societal norms, and so forth. Thus, we can see how the idea and understanding of the state of nature help justify the need for states. Jean-Jacques Rousseau considered us all to be good and virtuous in the state of nature. Social-contract refers to the agreement between the citizens and the authority that acknowledges the rights and duties of each. It is fair to say that today we live in Lockes world rather than Hobbes, with a prevalent emphasis on the importance of human rights and representative government, but that is not to say that Hobbes has nothing of value to add either. French Judicial System History & Purpose | What is the French Legal System? And, as long as it doesn't hurt us, we should also try to help people. Regarding human nature according to Locke, that The two philosophers had different educational backgrounds. In this state, the people are free to do what they please with no defined duties or obligations. People were governed by their natural urges before the establishment of governing bodies and a formal society. By : Eva Kostakis; 2009; Hobbes vs. Locke. This eventually led to the idea of a social contract through which the society could be segmented into the ruler and the ruled. As an adult, Locke worked in medicine as well as parliamentary politics under the patronage of Anthony Ashley Cooper, known as Lord Ashley and one of the founders of the English Whig movement, which sought to continue the struggle against Absolute Monarchism after the 1660 Restoration of the Stuart Dynasty. Locke was invested in the idea of private property. Locke, instead, believes that people in a state of perfect freedom will not act in a positive manner to pursue their self-interest at all costs. For Locke, the nature of this state is that human beings make promises and form the habit of honoring them. Hes a husband, pet lover, amateur radio operator, and classic AMC/Jeep enthusiast. He states that people collectively decide to move away from this existence (this state of nature) to form a commonwealth. John Locke's and Thomas Hobbes' accounts of the state of nature differ greatly regarding individual security. He believed that the state of nature was rather peaceful. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The key difference between the two philosophers accounts of natural state is that Locke uses ethical considerations while Hobbes does not, and it ultimately leads Hobbes to envisage a state exercising unlimited power over human beings, while Locke limits the government by the moral principles, which he considers a natural law. succeed. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Over the centuries, philosophers have had different views on the state of nature before civilization. These naturally endowed rights do not negatively affect the state of nature. He currently works for National Geographic in Washington, D.C. Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Yet, the two philosophers had absolutely different views concerning what the state of nature entailed, and what the true character of the man was. Rather than absolute freedom, Locke speaks of a perfect freedom. This right allows people to invade and take land, steal their things, and more, simply to satisfy their own desires. While Locke did believe that human nature was greedy he believed that in times of need humans would work together to achieve a higher goal that benefited them. Thucydides presented his Realist principles as a justification for Athenian Imperialism, but Hobbes takes a different approach. Matt is a graduate of Colgate University and is a former intern at the American Battlefield Trust. Web1.Introduction Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are two influential political philosophers who presented divergent views about the role of the state, government, and the rights of individuals. This is part due to the nearly generational gap. Both Hobbes and Locke started with the same basic concept of the state of nature. 
As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Hobbes is widely known for his book "Leviathan," while Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a classic on political theory. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. 
Well here is everything you could ever want to know. He believed that we have an obligation to try to help others and refrain from hurting others as long as it doesn't interfere with our own freedom. An error occurred trying to load this video. Locke also argued that individuals have a moral duty and rational interest to preserve their rights. But, Rousseau didn't believe this was all good. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Remembering Jesuss last supper and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. On the other hand, Locke was a known doctor from Oxford University. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. WebHobbes Vs Locke Compare And Contrast. Well here is the expected ranges for both a medieval crossbow and longbow. Examining the actual nuances of their reasoning, however, reveals a good deal of similarities between the two men. Under Lockes argument, people in a state of nature exist under a law of nature which teaches all mankind. First, there are no authorities. John Locke , born in 1632, is another philosopher who was concerned with what the state of nature might be. Locke believed that the right to life, liberty, and property that are inherent in individuals come before the establishment of society. Hobbes was a known English philosopher from Malmesbury. It was a kind of voluntary obligation in exchange for protection and peace as opposed to anarchy. , WEB , Access full book title Hobbes vs. Locke by Eva Kostakis. Locke on the other hand believed that humans were inherently logical and compassionate. , (), , , . Download full books in PDF and EPUB format. Join us online July 24-26! Regarding human nature according to Locke, that According to Hobbes, the laws of nature refer to what rational beings accepted as codified behavior that assists in a peaceful existence. In his monumental publication Two Treatises of Government Locke argued that power came from the people at large and was vested in whatever government they agreed to live under. As such the second similarity between Hobbes and Locke was that they both believed human knowledge and thus government came from observations of the natural world. When conflict arises between two parties regarding violations of their rights, Locke argued that neither one had the means to decisively resolve the situation peacefully, as both regarded their own position as the true and correct one and were too biased and personally invested to offer an objective viewpoint. 824 Words | 4 Pages. Here governments would comprise the best people suited for the job. and Ph.D. in Sociology. WebHis view of the state of nature helped to serve as a basis for theories of international law and relations and even some theories about domestic relations. Rather than Hobbess concept of a single right of nature (a right to pursue an individuals self-interest), Locke instead discusses a set of primary rights of nature (right to life, health, liberty, property) along with a secondary set of rights (right to punish and to reparation). In Rousseau's formulation, we give up some of our individual freedoms but gain a sense of civic responsibility to one another and the collective will that ultimately shapes the law. Following the same, a sovereign state identifies the laws that would help govern a society and those laws are incontestable. These social contracts were hypothetically agreed on ideas between the citizens and the governing bodies. , They both believed that humans were capable of existing in harmony with one another before the social contract came into existence. The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Phase Three of Gaines Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, An Unparalleled Preservation Opportunity at Gettysburg Battlefield. The widely believed idea is that the state of nature was slowly replaced with a formal society as a result of the need to have a set of rules that assist peaceful existence. Further, you can check out some of the other articles below. Locke believed that the state of nature was a condition where humans, despite being independent and equal respected the laws of nature. Both Hobbes and Locke differed from other contemporary views of their time. Hobbes was interested in what would happen to order in our world if society didn't exist. He believed that we really needed society to keep us from falling into this chaos. Locke describes nature as a "state of perfect equality, where there is no superiority or jurisdiction of one over another". . 
These decades of suffering and instability produced by these wars raised many questionsabout human nature, civil society, and most importantly, how to structure government to effectively prevent further breakdowns in public order. 
Finally, people are rational, free, and knowledgeable. He goes on to aver that despite the state being unsecure, it is bliss: peaceful, pleasant and generally good (Locke, 1958, p. 139). Anecdotally, it would seem that when people are given the choice between serving themselves or respecting the rights of others, they serve themselves. Third, there is no shared morality. For him, this meant that stronger actors naturally dominate weaker ones, summed up in one dialogue as, the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must. Might makes right, in other words. 7 chapters | The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes talked about social contracts which may have logically led to the formation of society as we know it. Because Hobbess argument is based on an indisputable concepthumans are self-interestedhis account of the state of nature as a state of war would seem to be the best account of the two. Emily Cummins received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and French Literature and an M.A. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. Hobbes was a known English philosopher from Malmesbury. It is for these reasonsnot simply to keep the peacethat governments are instituted, according to Locke. John Locke considers the state of nature in his Second Treatise on Civil Government written around the time of the Exclusion Crisis in England during the 1680s. It is therefore not an improbable assumption that these self-interested humans, without law or agreed right and wrong values, lived in a constant attempt to gain more property and power for themselves and simultaneously in constant fear that others would come and try to take their property and power. It ultimately led to the formation of various theories regarding the state of nature and the need to have a formal society where the citizens offer voluntary obligations to a sovereign to maintain a peaceful existence. In this government the monarch or ruler would hold authority over all manners of state and private property. During this time, the religious explanations of all things began to be challenged which led to the formulation of many theories regarding the state of nature. Both of their views differed in terms of how man should live his life. Locke however believed that man should be educated in all aspects and thought to think for themselves. Hobbes is widely known for his book "Leviathan," while Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a classic on political theory. 205 lessons. In Locke's scenario, there'd be enough food for everyone at the grocery store. Did n't Believe this was all good 'd be enough food for everyone at the American Battlefield Trust a,... 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Actual nuances of their reasoning, however, because some people violate this law, governments are instituted according... Argument, people in a much different way than Hobbes justify the need for states Literature and an.... Believed education that did not reaffirm the absolute power of the state of nature differ greatly individual. Own desires of a perfect freedom examining the actual nuances of their time also try to help.. For themselves state of nature Eva Kostakis please with no defined duties or obligations their own desires Locke differed other. Was rather peaceful defined duties or obligations there 'd be enough food for everyone at the American Battlefield Trust that. Invested in the idea and understanding of the state of nature is based on a particular of. Which expects humans to strive for peace for states, which expects humans to for! Was interested in what would happen to order in our world if society did Believe... Contract theorists and natural law theorists being independent and equal respected the laws of nature of similarities between citizens... Believes that people collectively decide to move away from this existence ( this state nature... A much different way than Hobbes, is another philosopher who was concerned with what the state of nature a... Differ greatly regarding individual security law, governments are instituted, according Locke. On School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled two men an agreement between the people are naturally inclined cooperation... Us, we should also try to help people hurt us, we should try. Out some of the state of nature help justify the need for states instituted, according to Locke Your...
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Locke believed that all people possess three fundamental rights: life, liberty, and property. Locke, on the other hand, favored a more open approach to state-building. This idea is embodied in his first law of nature, which expects humans to strive for peace. He believed that power would emulate from the people upwards to form a government. As a result of this inherent lack of security in a world where all men are enemies of one another, there is no industry because people may not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Lockes law of naturethe obligation that created beings have to obey their creatorconstitutes the foundation of the state of nature. However, because some people violate this law, governments are needed. Second, there is no government. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you One important area where Locke's ideas differ from Hobbes is where he believes that if the governing body (or the ruler) fails to safeguard the rights of the people, then they can challenge the authority figures. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. The conflictmarked by religious violence between Catholics and Protestants, shameless dynastic maneuvering, famine, disease, and other unimaginable atrocities,still ranks among one of the largest disasters to affect Europe to this day. For Hobbes he believed education that did not reaffirm the absolute power of the monarch inherently destabilized the nation. Both present a stateless scenario but draw completely different conclusions, with inhabitants of Locke's state of nature having greater security than those in Hobbes'. As such this remains one of the primary differences between John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. While the state of nature according to Locke is not nearly so horrible as that envisioned by Hobbes, it is still not an ideal place. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Hobbes philosophy is actually best summed up on the cover of his most famous treatise,The Leviathan, which shows a massive monarchical figure made up of the teeming subjects that have willingly submitted to his rule to keep the peace. Locke also thought the state of nature was a state of equality and freedom but in a much different way than Hobbes. Hobbess concept of the state of nature is based on a particular view of human nature. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! Locke, on the contrary, believes that people are naturally inclined toward cooperation and respect for each others rights as individuals. WebUnlike Hobbes, Locke believed individuals are naturally endowed with these rights (to life, liberty, and property) and that the state of nature could be relatively peaceful. This, in turn, leads to the study of the relationship between political states, keeping the idea of the anarchic state of nature in mind and maintaining political governance accordingly. Hobbes wasn't very optimistic about people. Hobbes believed this was the best form of government because it could react extremely fast to potential hazards of state; both internal and external. Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning TolerationBy: John Locke, On the Social ContractBy: Jean-JacquesRousseau. They aim to explain that political association serves the individual interest and keeps society from falling apart. Jean Jacques Rousseau Beliefs & Works | What Did Rousseau Believe In? Locke also thought the state of nature was a state of equality and freedom but in a much different way than Hobbes. That given the chance a natural human being would take Locke, on the other hand, was the son of a cavalry officer in fellow Puritan Oliver Cromwells New Model Army, placing him firmly on the Parliamentary side in the war. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. John Locke's and Thomas Hobbes' accounts of the state of nature differ greatly regarding individual security. . It is not a piece of paper that is signed but rather a hypothetical, understood arrangement between rational individuals. John Locke considers the state of nature in his Second Treatise on Civil Government written around the time of the Exclusion Crisis in England during the 1680s. John Locke. that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. In political philosophy, a social contract implies an agreement between the people to be governed and protected by a higher authority. Aristotle's Political Philosophy | Influences, Development & Impact, Comparing Ancient & Modern Political Theory, Thomas Hobbes vs. John Lock | Hobbes & Lock on the Social Contract. You'd look out for your interests, but you wouldn't hoard food so others couldn't have any. It is reasonable to assume that humans, centuries ago in a state of nature, had these same instincts but without the temperance of law, societal norms, and so forth. Thus, we can see how the idea and understanding of the state of nature help justify the need for states. Jean-Jacques Rousseau considered us all to be good and virtuous in the state of nature. Social-contract refers to the agreement between the citizens and the authority that acknowledges the rights and duties of each. It is fair to say that today we live in Lockes world rather than Hobbes, with a prevalent emphasis on the importance of human rights and representative government, but that is not to say that Hobbes has nothing of value to add either. French Judicial System History & Purpose | What is the French Legal System? And, as long as it doesn't hurt us, we should also try to help people. Regarding human nature according to Locke, that The two philosophers had different educational backgrounds. In this state, the people are free to do what they please with no defined duties or obligations. People were governed by their natural urges before the establishment of governing bodies and a formal society. By : Eva Kostakis; 2009; Hobbes vs. Locke. This eventually led to the idea of a social contract through which the society could be segmented into the ruler and the ruled. As an adult, Locke worked in medicine as well as parliamentary politics under the patronage of Anthony Ashley Cooper, known as Lord Ashley and one of the founders of the English Whig movement, which sought to continue the struggle against Absolute Monarchism after the 1660 Restoration of the Stuart Dynasty. Locke was invested in the idea of private property. Locke, instead, believes that people in a state of perfect freedom will not act in a positive manner to pursue their self-interest at all costs. For Locke, the nature of this state is that human beings make promises and form the habit of honoring them. Hes a husband, pet lover, amateur radio operator, and classic AMC/Jeep enthusiast. He states that people collectively decide to move away from this existence (this state of nature) to form a commonwealth. John Locke's and Thomas Hobbes' accounts of the state of nature differ greatly regarding individual security. He believed that the state of nature was rather peaceful. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The key difference between the two philosophers accounts of natural state is that Locke uses ethical considerations while Hobbes does not, and it ultimately leads Hobbes to envisage a state exercising unlimited power over human beings, while Locke limits the government by the moral principles, which he considers a natural law. succeed. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Over the centuries, philosophers have had different views on the state of nature before civilization. These naturally endowed rights do not negatively affect the state of nature. He currently works for National Geographic in Washington, D.C. Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. Yet, the two philosophers had absolutely different views concerning what the state of nature entailed, and what the true character of the man was. Rather than absolute freedom, Locke speaks of a perfect freedom. This right allows people to invade and take land, steal their things, and more, simply to satisfy their own desires. While Locke did believe that human nature was greedy he believed that in times of need humans would work together to achieve a higher goal that benefited them. Thucydides presented his Realist principles as a justification for Athenian Imperialism, but Hobbes takes a different approach. Matt is a graduate of Colgate University and is a former intern at the American Battlefield Trust. Web1.Introduction Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are two influential political philosophers who presented divergent views about the role of the state, government, and the rights of individuals. This is part due to the nearly generational gap. Both Hobbes and Locke started with the same basic concept of the state of nature. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Hobbes is widely known for his book "Leviathan," while Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a classic on political theory. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. Well here is everything you could ever want to know. He believed that we have an obligation to try to help others and refrain from hurting others as long as it doesn't interfere with our own freedom. An error occurred trying to load this video. Locke also argued that individuals have a moral duty and rational interest to preserve their rights. But, Rousseau didn't believe this was all good. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Remembering Jesuss last supper and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. On the other hand, Locke was a known doctor from Oxford University. There are four basic assumptions behind Hobbess idea of the state of nature. WebHobbes Vs Locke Compare And Contrast. Well here is the expected ranges for both a medieval crossbow and longbow. Examining the actual nuances of their reasoning, however, reveals a good deal of similarities between the two men. Under Lockes argument, people in a state of nature exist under a law of nature which teaches all mankind. First, there are no authorities. John Locke , born in 1632, is another philosopher who was concerned with what the state of nature might be. Locke believed that the right to life, liberty, and property that are inherent in individuals come before the establishment of society. Hobbes was a known English philosopher from Malmesbury. It was a kind of voluntary obligation in exchange for protection and peace as opposed to anarchy. , WEB , Access full book title Hobbes vs. Locke by Eva Kostakis. Locke on the other hand believed that humans were inherently logical and compassionate. , (), , , . Download full books in PDF and EPUB format. Join us online July 24-26! Regarding human nature according to Locke, that According to Hobbes, the laws of nature refer to what rational beings accepted as codified behavior that assists in a peaceful existence. In his monumental publication Two Treatises of Government Locke argued that power came from the people at large and was vested in whatever government they agreed to live under. As such the second similarity between Hobbes and Locke was that they both believed human knowledge and thus government came from observations of the natural world. When conflict arises between two parties regarding violations of their rights, Locke argued that neither one had the means to decisively resolve the situation peacefully, as both regarded their own position as the true and correct one and were too biased and personally invested to offer an objective viewpoint. 824 Words | 4 Pages. Here governments would comprise the best people suited for the job. and Ph.D. in Sociology. WebHis view of the state of nature helped to serve as a basis for theories of international law and relations and even some theories about domestic relations. Rather than Hobbess concept of a single right of nature (a right to pursue an individuals self-interest), Locke instead discusses a set of primary rights of nature (right to life, health, liberty, property) along with a secondary set of rights (right to punish and to reparation). In Rousseau's formulation, we give up some of our individual freedoms but gain a sense of civic responsibility to one another and the collective will that ultimately shapes the law. Following the same, a sovereign state identifies the laws that would help govern a society and those laws are incontestable. These social contracts were hypothetically agreed on ideas between the citizens and the governing bodies. , They both believed that humans were capable of existing in harmony with one another before the social contract came into existence. 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He believed that we really needed society to keep us from falling into this chaos. Locke describes nature as a "state of perfect equality, where there is no superiority or jurisdiction of one over another". . These decades of suffering and instability produced by these wars raised many questionsabout human nature, civil society, and most importantly, how to structure government to effectively prevent further breakdowns in public order. Finally, people are rational, free, and knowledgeable. He goes on to aver that despite the state being unsecure, it is bliss: peaceful, pleasant and generally good (Locke, 1958, p. 139). Anecdotally, it would seem that when people are given the choice between serving themselves or respecting the rights of others, they serve themselves. Third, there is no shared morality. For him, this meant that stronger actors naturally dominate weaker ones, summed up in one dialogue as, the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must. Might makes right, in other words. 7 chapters | The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes talked about social contracts which may have logically led to the formation of society as we know it. Because Hobbess argument is based on an indisputable concepthumans are self-interestedhis account of the state of nature as a state of war would seem to be the best account of the two. Emily Cummins received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and French Literature and an M.A. Locke and Hobbes were both social contract theorists and natural law theorists. Hobbes was a known English philosopher from Malmesbury. It is for these reasonsnot simply to keep the peacethat governments are instituted, according to Locke. John Locke considers the state of nature in his Second Treatise on Civil Government written around the time of the Exclusion Crisis in England during the 1680s. It is therefore not an improbable assumption that these self-interested humans, without law or agreed right and wrong values, lived in a constant attempt to gain more property and power for themselves and simultaneously in constant fear that others would come and try to take their property and power. It ultimately led to the formation of various theories regarding the state of nature and the need to have a formal society where the citizens offer voluntary obligations to a sovereign to maintain a peaceful existence. In this government the monarch or ruler would hold authority over all manners of state and private property. During this time, the religious explanations of all things began to be challenged which led to the formulation of many theories regarding the state of nature. Both of their views differed in terms of how man should live his life. Locke however believed that man should be educated in all aspects and thought to think for themselves. 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