Hobbes and Locke: Comparing and Contrasting Political Philosophies

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(A) Comparing and contrasting the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are comparable in their basic political ideologies about man and their rights in the state of nature before they enter a civil society. Their political ideas are very much similar in that regard. The resemblance between Hobbes and Locke’s philosophies are based on a few characteristics of the state of nature and the state of man. Firstly, in the state of nature both Hobbes and Locke agree that all men are created equal, but their definitions of equality in the state of nature slightly differ. According to Locke, “…in the state of nature… no one has power over another…” Locke’s version or idea of equality in the state of nature is based around the equality of authority and control. Each man has the authority to judge and punish themselves, but they do not have “…license to abuse others…” On the other hand, Hobbes’ definition of equality is based around the equality of man physically and mentally because “Nature hath made men so equal in the faculties of the body and mind…” Nevertheless, the natural equality in both Hobbes and Locke’s states of nature contribute to man’s urge and want to join a civil society.

In the state of nature, equality creates a state of war amongst men. Hobbes’ believes that the cause of the state of war is the nature of man, perfect equality and self-preservation. The idea self-preservation in Hobbes’ state of nature consents to man to harming one another in the name of survival, because it is also in man’s nature. The definition of self-preservation and survival is different for each individual. No man in the state of nature has the authority to judge or question any individual’s acti...

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Hobbes is more conservative in the modern term because his whole political philosophy is based around keeping stability in the commonwealth. This stability can only happen with a strong traditional monarchy that holds absolute power even with religion. Hobbes is very averse to the division power and change in tradition because he saw firsthand what it did to England in the English Civil War. He also advocates censorship and unquestioning obedience to the sovereign. Locke is more politically liberal because most of his philosophy is based on how the government and society can preserve liberty and equality. The people have are the sovereign according to Locke and if the majority so chose they can change the legislature. He is more liberal because he advocates that the government’s purpose is to preserve not only liberty, but also private property and natural rights.

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