Society and Government Essay -- Philosophy, Hobbes, Locke

Thomas Hobbes Leviathan and thaumaturgy Lockes Two Treatises of Government have produced two definitive and vastly different theories of government. Though both philosophers look to be embedded in the concept of a natural lawfulness, why do Hobbes and Locke seem to capture to two opposing conclusions about society and government? The answer lies in critical distinctions between their interpretations on the order of nature, including their conjectures on hu creation nature, their perceptions of freedom and equality, and their ultimate reasoning for civil society. Human nature is an integral soften of the state of nature theory. Hobbes theorizes that human nature is flawed, with men cosmos course selfish and hedonistic of the voluntary acts of every man, the object is some trade good to himselfe (Hobbes, 1996, p. 93). This suggests that in a natural state, humans are moreover manoeuvre by their own needs and wants. As a result, Hobbes believes that the only law that gove rns the state of nature is maintenance of self-preservation. This gives rise to a clashing of desires, which compels man to undermine any concern for others and put oneself above all else. The consummation to which man is able to undermine others for the sake of self-benefit is also limitless fit to Hobbes in this law of Nature for where no covenant hath preceded, there hath nor ripe(p) been transferred and every man had right to everything and therefore, no action can be Unjust (Hobbes, 1996, p. 100). There is a clear Hobbesian view of morality that begins to arrive form. Good and evil seem to be relative to Hobbes. Because of this, each individual(a) in the state of nature has varying perceptions of morality, which often conflict, creating disagreement that only incites violence. This pr... ...have consent in order to act. This essentially gives sovereign power to the people. This philosophy is also consistent with Lockes favor for a republican complex body part of governm ent.The apparent difference seen between the political theories of Hobbes and Locke can be attributed to their differing views on the state of nature. The development of mankind as a selfish being living in a state of war and violently attempting to arrive equality naturally lead Hobbes to conclude that an authoritative power is require to instill order to chaos. On the other side of the spectrum, Lock molds the state of nature to be a state of peace, and attributing men to Reasonable creatures and consequently creates a representative government where the people hold sovereign power. Essentially, these theories seem are a result of a pessimistic and optimistic human body of nature and humanity.