Government And The Human Nature Perspectives From Hobbes...

Government and The Human Nature: Perspectives from Hobbes and Locke James Madison, one of the American Founding Fathers famously wrote in The Federalist that â€Å"if men were angels, no government would be necessary.† From his 1651 text, The Leviathan, it is clear from his advocacy of philosophical absolutism that Hobbes would have strongly agreed with Madison, especially about human beings needing government to counter the what he believes to be the state of nature. Conversely, in his 1651 Second Treatise of Government, John Locke advocates constitutionalism, or a limited government, which not only protects citizens from the state of nature, but also empowers their rights through. 17th century philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke would have both agreed with Madison in varying degrees, in spite of their polarizing philosophies about the relationship between governments and the governed. In the Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes pessimistically describes human nature as a permanent â€Å"state of war†. In what is bellum omnium contra omnes, meaning war of all against all, Hobbes explains that nature is â€Å"the art through which God made the world and still governs it.† Accordingly, Hobbes classifies happiness as a continual process of desires from one object to another, and claims that â€Å"all men’s voluntary actions and inclinations tend not only to procuring but also to assuring a contended life’ and they differ only concerning the way to that† . For instance, Hobbes uses the example of KingsShow MoreRelatedCompare and Contrast Hobbes’s and Locke’s Views of the State of Nature and the Fundamental Purpose of Political Society. Whose View Is the More Plausible? Why?1564 Words   |  7 Pagesand Locke’s views of the state of nature and the fundamental purpose of political society. Whose view is the more plausibl e? Why? Introduction Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both natural law theorists and social contracts theorists. While most natural law theorists have predominantly been of the opinion that humans are social animals by nature, Locke and Hobbes had a different perspective. Their points of view were remarkably different from those perpetuated by other natural lawRead MoreThe American Constitution And The Bill Of Rights1463 Words   |  6 Pagestowards independence and accentuation on the thoughts of human advance. The American Constitution and the Bill of Rights are both results of the Enlightenment and thoughts of the philosophes, specifically John Locke. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both English philosophers,influential thinkers of the seventeenth century, both had confidence in a Social Contract and they both distributed books that were generally perused. Thomas Hobbes talked about and built up the social contract hypothesis throughRead MoreDifferences Between the Arguements of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in Leviathan and Second Treatise of Government1322 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbes and John Locke in Leviathan and Second Treatise of Government, they seem to agree on many things. Both philosophers believe that human reasoning is based on appetites and aversions, that humans have a fundamental right to self-preservation, and, above all, that a strong central government is the way to remedy the problems with the state of nature. However, after looking closely, many important differences become apparent. All differences between the arguments of Hobbes and Locke, in regardsRead MorePolitical Philosophy in the 17th Century9 47 Words   |  4 Pages John Locke, a philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, a political philosopher, and Bishop Bossuet, a theologist and bishop, are three people from the 17th century whose views has set courses in history. 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With Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, they give the impression to be on opposite sides when it comes to people, society and the government even and yet both were Englishmen. Hobbes was born 5 April 1588 and died 4 December 1679; he is best known today for his work on political philosophy. While John Locke was 29 August 1632 and died 28 OctoberRead MoreJohn Locke versus Thomas Hobbes Essay1297 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbes and John Lock were two English philosophers who observed tremendous changes in English politics between the years of 1640 and 1690. In closely examining the views of both of these philosophers in subject areas such as the nature of man in society, the relationship between a society and its government, and the affect that both philosophers’ novels had on the government, it can be concluded that both Hobbes and Locke’s philosophies created p rominent change in the methods of government. Read MoreA Thesis Statement : Monarchy And Democracy1476 Words   |  6 Pagesmonarchy and democracy from both perspectives of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, one can see that democracy creates the most beneficial outcome. Today, many people associate the ideals Locke adopts with democracy. Although, in Locke’s book, Second Treatise of Government, he did not solely focus on democracy. He listed many types of government, not favoring any. He believed that as long as they adhere to his rules, they remain valid. As a result of looking through Thomas Hobbes’ view on monarchyRead MoreMonarchy Vs. Democracy By Thomas Hobbes And John Locke1655 Words   |  7 Pages Monarchy vs Democracy Through assessing both monarchy and democracy from both perspectives of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, one can see that democracy creates the most beneficial outcome. Hobbes had a pessimistic view of people. He believed humans were selfish, doing anything to further their own position in life. Hobbes believed in an absolute monarchy, a government that gave all the power to a king or queen. Even though he distrusted democracy, he believed that a diverse group of representatives