1. Hobbes vs. Locke

2. State of Nature Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) John Locke ( 1632-1704)
Man is rational, self-centered
He has total freedom, power; all are equal
What he owns, he controls by force
There is no divine law
No natural rights
No justice or injustice
“Life is solitary, nasty, brutish and short”
Man is made in God’s image and free and rational
He has the natural rights of life, liberty, and property
Men are not by nature wholly selfish but sometimes they transgress
Basically life without government is good

3. Political State Hobbes Locke Limited and specific
Absolute to maintain order and peace
Force is the basis of government
Created through a social contract or covenant
Subjects give up rights and power for social order and security
The power is surrendered to an individual or a group
Subjects surrendered their right to question, reject, or rebel when the social contract was made
The purpose of government is to provide peace and security
Limited and specific
Law is the basis of government
The state is created by a social contract between the people and the government.
Government purpose is to protect the citizens’ natural rights to life, liberty, and property
People retain the right to use force against the government when it violates the contract