Hobbes and Locke essays

Hobbes and Locke essays Thomas Hobbes was interested in why people allowed themselves to be ruled and what would be the best form of government for England. In 1651, Hobbes wrote his most famous work, the Leviathan. In it, he argued that people were naturally evil and could not be trusted to govern. The constant state of war is what Hobbes believed to be mans original state of nature. According to Hobbes, man should not be trusted in the state of nature and limits must be put on freedom and inalienable rights. Hobbes lived in the 17th century, and wrote during the English Civil War, therefore; his political views were most likely influenced by the war. Hobbes thought that by bringing back the monarch, or any other sovereign, there would be an end to the civil war and it is necessary to peace and depending on sovereign power (415 Leviathan). Men are in competition for honor and dignity, according to Hobbes. Envy and hatred arise, eventually causing war. With this view that only selfish interests motivate hu mans, Hobbes argues that people are better off living in a world where the government has control over all the people and their actions. Hobbes believed that an absolute monarchy-a government that gave power to a king or queen was the best type of government. He interpreted government to be a single governing body, made up of the power of the masses. Hobbes wrote that if there was no power to keep people in fear, they would continually fight against each other. Hobbes believed that the need for government is to protect us from our other fellow citizens. For this reason, the power of the sovereign must be supreme. He also felt that nations, like people were selfishly motivated which would result in war. In conclusion, through moral acts of giving up ones rights, one can hope to end the state of natural war between people, and reach a state of peace where defending oneself isnt a constant struggle. Hobbes percepti ...