Hobbes or Locke?

**chickendude** · 10-9-2005, 12:57 PM

Who do you think has the right theory on the nature of man and the role of government?

In case you didn't know, Hobbes and Locke are both philosophers from around 1500-1600.
Hobbes lived during the English Civil War (gruesome battle) while Locke lived through the glorious revolution (a bloodless revolt)

Hobbes believed that men in nature (without goverment) are savage and irrational, only caring about their own survival. Government must do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING it can to prevent the state of nature, because it is the worst. Government should be all powerful becuase it is preventing the state of nature. People should not have the right to revolt against goverment because anything is better than the state of nature.

Locke believed that man in nature are logical and reasonable. He believed that humans were able to use logic and reasoning BY NATURE. By creating a government, the people and the government are agreeing to a deal. The government protects people's rights (something that everyone has). The people are agreeing to follow the rule of the government. People have the right to revolt against the goverment if it breaks this agreement. The reason behind this is that man by nature is logical, and can create their own government on their own after they revolt.

Summary:
Hobbes: Men are irrational by nature - seeking only survival. Government should be all powerful to supress this - preventing chaos

Locke: Men are logical by nature. Goverment just protects rights.

To take a modern view on this, look at Iraq
In Iraq, everything is pointing towards a hobbsian view of government. When the US removed Hussain, the country went into chaos. The people couldn't work together to create a government. Americans are trying to bridge this gap.

On the other hand, take the American Revolution. Americans overthrew the British government in the Americas and were able to come together and create their own government. The new world didn't fall into chaos. This backs the Lockian view.

Which one is true?

10-9-2005, 12:57 PM	#1
chickendude Away from Computer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Massachusetts Age: 35 Posts: 1,901	Hobbes or Locke? Who do you think has the right theory on the nature of man and the role of government? In case you didn't know, Hobbes and Locke are both philosophers from around 1500-1600. Hobbes lived during the English Civil War (gruesome battle) while Locke lived through the glorious revolution (a bloodless revolt) Hobbes believed that men in nature (without goverment) are savage and irrational, only caring about their own survival. Government must do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING it can to prevent the state of nature, because it is the worst. Government should be all powerful becuase it is preventing the state of nature. People should not have the right to revolt against goverment because anything is better than the state of nature. Locke believed that man in nature are logical and reasonable. He believed that humans were able to use logic and reasoning BY NATURE. By creating a government, the people and the government are agreeing to a deal. The government protects people's rights (something that everyone has). The people are agreeing to follow the rule of the government. People have the right to revolt against the goverment if it breaks this agreement. The reason behind this is that man by nature is logical, and can create their own government on their own after they revolt. Summary: Hobbes: Men are irrational by nature - seeking only survival. Government should be all powerful to supress this - preventing chaos Locke: Men are logical by nature. Goverment just protects rights. To take a modern view on this, look at Iraq In Iraq, everything is pointing towards a hobbsian view of government. When the US removed Hussain, the country went into chaos. The people couldn't work together to create a government. Americans are trying to bridge this gap. On the other hand, take the American Revolution. Americans overthrew the British government in the Americas and were able to come together and create their own government. The new world didn't fall into chaos. This backs the Lockian view. Which one is true? __________________

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