The State Of Nature And Government - 1315 Words

THE STATE OF NATURE AND GOVERNMENT Chloe Holmeshaw BF190 Dr. Charles Wells October 11, 2015 The State of Nature and Government The State of Nature and governing in â€Å"The State of Nature† are two subject that Hobbes and Locke both discuss in their book. The enlightenment period was a time of Learning, new inventions, new theories, and new government. Two prominent figures that became known during the enlightenment were Thomas Hobbes (1588-1674) and John Locke (1632-1704). These enlightenment authors represent two different side of the political spectrum; Locke represents the right wing with his book â€Å"Second Treatise on Civil Government† and â€Å"A Letter Concerning Toleration† and Hobbes represent the left wing with his book â€Å"Leviathan†. They are important because they introduced two different ideas of the States of Nature and the type of social contract and government that should be regulating it. This paper is demonstrating how the state of nature effects the type of government needs to run the state. Thomas Hobbes is an enlightenment philosopher from England; he is known for his on political philosophy. He published his enlightenment novel Leviathan in 1651; his book discusses the structure of society and government. His book was one of the most influential pieces of work during the Enlightenment period. He contributed to the independence of the United States from England. He wrote his book during the English civil wars. The fear he experienced during thatShow MoreRelatedThe Second Treatise On Civil Government And State Of Nature1815 Words   |  8 Pages Throughout 17th century England, religion had a huge impact on the way the government was ruled. In turn, this has caused many problems amongst different sects, most notably in the lead up to the publication of John Locke’s The Second Treatise on Civil Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration. It would appear that the official religion of Britain would change with the hands of the monarch at the time, particularly during the period known as the ‘Wars of the Three Kingdoms’ and later the ‘GloriousRead MoreThomas Hobbes and John Lockes Varying Presentations of the Social Contract Theory1499 Words   |  6 Pagespolitical philosophy, namely Hobbes’ Leviathan and Locke’s Two Treatise of Government. Both works contain a different view of a State of Nature and lay out social contracts designed to neutralize the chaos inherent in that state. Though Hobbes and Locke have a different understanding of the State of Nature, they share similar social contracts, except with regards to representation and the role of the government through the State of Nature. Hobbes and Locke have similar social contracts because in both ofRead MoreHobbes Human Nature Essay1424 Words   |  6 Pagesviewpoints about human nature, the origin of the state, the nature of government, and the grounds for revolution. Although Hobbes and Locke agreed on some general facets of political theory, Thomas Hobbes’ generally presented a pessimistic, provocative view of politics, while John Locke tended towards a more optimist and mainstream approach to explaining constitutional theory. In regards to human nature, both Hobbes and Locke agree that the purpose of government relies on the nature of humanity itselfRead MoreState of Nature and Social Contract1323 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscuss social contract theory and the state of nature followed by John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, both of their theories are distinct form each other but yet related. Hobbes and lock are both considered the first classical liberals, they differed from other classical philosophers because of their individualistic society, rather than a communal society that promotes the moral way to live one’s life. According to classical liberalism the government should not promote morality, rather toRead MoreJohn Locke : The Limitations Of Government And The Natural State1475 Words   |  6 Pages John Locke: The Limitations of Government and the Natural State Brandon Lee 10/31/17 Outline Submit for: Political Theory (Govt 251) Fall 2017 Professor Lindskog I. John Locke had been influential in the American governmental system. His ideas outlined in the Second Treatise on Government, dramatically influenced the America revolution and the formation of the United States Declaration of Independence. Modern democracy can thank Locke for his ideas on equal rights, separationRead MoreJohn Locke And The Law Of Nature976 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Law of Nature is crucial and necessary to understand his work the ‘Second Treatise of Government’. His beliefs in limited government and individual rights are perceived throughout the entire text, but in order to understand why he believes this it is necessary to understand and analyze three elements. First one must understand what the Law of Nature is according to John Locke and why it is an essential element towards all individuals. Second one must understand how the Law of Nature interactsRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes1287 Words   |  6 Pages There should also be rules that the people under the ruler need to obey. The governing body of a nation, state, or community is classified as a government. In order to run a proper political system, one must know how to balance and consider the nature of humankind and their rights. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were both political philosophers who developed theories about how the government should work. They set up their theories around The Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. Although JohnRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1348 Words   |  6 Pagescentury English Revolution, a radically changing government led English writers, philosophers, and politicians to expand upon the notion of human nature, based on their own beliefs and experiences. Two of these renowned English thinkers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, embodied the rising movement of using reason to make judgments on government, society, and the role of the king. Despite approaching the question of human nature with similar foundations, The Sta te of Equality, Hobbes and Locke develop entirelyRead MoreEssay Government1525 Words   |  7 Pagesthe need to create a form of government arises from fulfilling the need of security. In order for government to provide this security, it is necessary for government to be able to use its authority in any way it pleases. Locke and Mill on the other hand believe that government should be able to provide security for its citizens, but in order to do this government does not need to be large rather it should be limited. Thus, the question arises of how limited government should be in order to provideRead MoreWhat Does Political Legitimacy Of The State Of Nature?921 Words   |  4 PagesThomas Hobbes, and in, The Second Treatise of Government, by John Locke different theories of political legitimacy and definitions of the state of nature are described. The following paragraphs analyze multiple different points that are imperative to understanding these political theories. In the reading, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes discusses what human existence is in the state of nature and the state of war. As it is described, the state of nature refers to how men were made equal in the faculties