Thomas Hobbes And John Locke On Liberty - 1502 Words

In this essay, the contrasting ideas of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke on liberty will be discussed and critically analyzed. Freedom is the idea of being able to do what one wants to, however, in a society, laws are created to make us all equal. Laws apply to every one of us in a civilized democratic society, which is the common voice that keeps us living together without violating each other’s rights.- Author’s general view.7 Thomas Hobbes primarily expresses the idea of liberty using sovereignty as a model. According to him, sovereignty was established by agreement initially, but he goes on to say that sovereignty established by force incorporates the same rights and requirements of the social contract. The difference lies in the way the sovereign is retained, installed and thought of. A sovereign coming into power by universal consent is supported by the masses, as people fear each other. In contrast to this, a sovereign that comes into power by force gains support as the people fear the sovereign himself. Both of these sovereigns are mutually consented to by social contract, which is driven by fear in either case. In the state of nature, liberty was non-existent as actions were influenced by fear of death and fear of the power held by others. While fear and power are present in The Leviathan, the person has acquired absolute liberty as he handed over fear and power to the sovereign to use as tools cons entingly making him responsible for his own fate should the sovereignShow MoreRelatedJohn Locke s Theory Of Government884 Words   |  4 Pages This essay will discuss and show how Thomas Jefferson’s theory of revolution follows the speculation of government from the philosopher John Locke. We’ll additionally discuss Thomas Hobbes’s theory of government. Both John Locke and Jefferson’s theories contributed to the American Revolution and to the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson’s theory of revolution found within the Declaration of Independence follows John Locke’s theory of government in multiple aspects, as well as inRead MoreEssay about Phi-286 Mod 3 Wa 1827 Words   |  4 PagesIndependence) follows from John Lockes theory of government? Could it follow from Hobbess theory of government? Under what circumstances? Thomas Jeffersons theory of revolution seems to follow specific criteria from Thomas Hobbes original foundation, which was further expanded upon by John Locke and ultimately fine tuned by Thomas Jefferson. To get an understanding how these three philosophies follow one another, we must begin at the documented source; Thomas Hobbes. Thomas Hobbes lived during revolutionaryRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes1287 Words   |  6 Pagesknow 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. 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Whereas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill have developed a more modernized conception of liberty and the role of the individual to the state and society. Plato’s work theRead MoreThe Political Philosophies Of Thomas Hobbes913 Words   |  4 PagesAisha Gupta Mr. Ochs World History/Block F 15 December 2014 Philosophers and Philosophies The political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Karl Marx all vary in their political philosophies: Thomas Hobbes focused on the power with one, central, absolute monarch, â€Å"upon one man† or â€Å"one assembly of men†; John Locke emphasized that government not rule over the natural rights of every being, and that they are apart from â€Å"any superior power†; and Karl Marx outlined the government leading economicRead MoreThe State Of Nature And Government1315 Words   |  6 Pagessubject 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 representRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1426 Words   |  6 PagesBy the second half of the 17th Century, England would experience one of the bloodiest conflicts in its history, ultimately serving to influence some of the most phenomenal political philosophers in Europe --Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. England was in constant unrest, choosing new forms of government almost on a whim in desperate attempts to restore order in the Country. The English Civil War in 1642 etched a legacy of dread in the people of England, and the war only appeared more disastrous andRead MoreModern Liberalism and Political Policies1337 Words   |  6 PagesModern Liberalism Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophies and theories each differ from one another’s, but these three philosophers have all staked their claims as to what man would be like, prior to the formation of the state. This is the State of Nature. Their notions on the social contract reflect their position on the political spectrum. These three philosophers also examine the purpose and function of the government to individuals of the state. Modern liberalism