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John Locke vs. Thomas Hobbes

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are two philosophers who thought extensively on the subject of human nature and conflict in human society. These two men represent two different perspectives of government and liberty. Hobbes believed that mankind is evil by nature and in this state all men are governed by natural laws. These laws primarily consist of justice and equity. Living in this state of nature is so horrible, that men join together and agree to be ruled by a common leader. Contrarily, Locke believes that man, by nature, is good, but enters into society to preserve and regulate people’s rights to own and enjoy property.
First, to understand why Locke and Hobbes felt the way they did about human nature, one must take into account the historical periods in which they lived. Hobbes lived during a time marked by civil war and...

Posted by: Justin Rech

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