What were the different views of the social contract?
Social Contract - an agreement by which people created a government Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were the two philosophers with differing views on the social contract.
Thomas Hobbes believed that to "escape such a bleak life", one had to put their rights in a strong ruler's hands. He also believed that because people acted in their own self-interest, the ruler needed total power to keep citizens under control. He said that this type of government was an absolute monarchy, and it could impose order and demand obedience.
John Locke's view of the social contract was considered to be more positive view of human nature. His belief was based on the fact that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. He favored self-government, and disliked absolute monarchy. He believed strongly in the three natural rights - life, liberty, and property - and that the purpose of government was to protect these rights. He also said that if the government fails to protect these rights for all people, the people themselves have the right to ovethrow it.
Alyssa Kimmell
What were the different views of the social contract?
Social Contract - an agreement by which people created a governmentThomas Hobbes and John Locke were the two philosophers with differing views on the social contract.
Thomas Hobbes believed that to "escape such a bleak life", one had to put their rights in a strong ruler's hands. He also believed that because people acted in their own self-interest, the ruler needed total power to keep citizens under control. He said that this type of government was an absolute monarchy, and it could impose order and demand obedience.
John Locke's view of the social contract was considered to be more positive view of human nature. His belief was based on the fact that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. He favored self-government, and disliked absolute monarchy. He believed strongly in the three natural rights - life, liberty, and property - and that the purpose of government was to protect these rights. He also said that if the government fails to protect these rights for all people, the people themselves have the right to ovethrow it.