Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both had extensive opinions on political philosophy, sharing some similar thoughts as well as some very contrasting ideas. Both Hobbes and Locke share similar opinions on natural rights, in that they both believe that every man is born with specific entitlements. They differ, however, in the extent and purpose of these natural rights in civil government. While they harmonize on the idea of a social contract, Hobbes believes that one must give up their natural rights in order to gain this social contract and enter into civil society. While Locke, on the other hand, believes that agreeing upon this social contract and entering into society protects these natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Hobbes believes that people willing to give up their own natural rights, giving abundant power to their leader, in order to avoid war, which Hobbes believes to be the state of nature. “It is manifest, that during the time that men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called Warre, and such a warre, as is of every man, against every many” (Hobbes 185). Contrastingly, Locke explains that these natural rights are to be preserved and protected by government. “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions” (Locke 9). Hobbes and Locke also have different views on human nature. Hobbes expresses his opinion that people are naturally bad, wicked and selfish. He believes that without a strong government, people would be perfectly happy stealing from others for their own self-gain. He uses this reasoning to explain why people give up their natural right, because if one agrees to not steal, then that individual can also feel the security of also not being stolen from. Locke, however, believes people are good in nature. Thus, he takes the approach that people naturally do not want to do harm, however, society and money has led some people into selfishness. He argues that once goods began to have a value, some people began to take more than what they need. This leads also leads to the accumulation of property, and therefore people began to seek protection within society by giving into a social contract.

Although Hobbes and Locke both agree that people seek the benefits of a civil society, they differ greatly in their ideal type of government. Hobbes clearly expresses his feelings that an absolute monarch is the best government, “the Power, so also the Honour of the Soveraign, ought to be greater, than that of any or