1. Enlightenment Grudge Match: Locke Versus Hobbes
Essential Question: How did Locke and Hobbes disagree with each other about the nature of mankind and what government should be like?

2. I. Thomas Hobbes: Human Nature
According to Hobbes, people by nature are…
-Selfish
-Brutish (brutal)
-Evil
-Corrupt
-Mean
-etc…

3. II. John Locke: Human Nature
According to Locke, people by nature are…
-a tabula raza (say what???)
-Locke believed that people at birth were a blank slate and the society (friends, family, television, etc…) would corrupt (change) them
-Most people would become good, but a few would become bad, so we need laws and punishments for them only

4. III. Thomas Hobbes: Strong Gov.
Hobbes felt that since people were bad by nature, they needed powerful government that could make quick decisions to keep them in line
People needed harsh laws that kept them in place and to keep them from being able to do the horrible things they would do otherwise
Hobbes felt that the best way to ensure order was to have a monarchy

5. IV. John Locke: Government of Rights
Locke felt that since most people were good, they deserved to have rights
He called these “Natural Rights” which all people received at birth
Locke’s three natural rights were
-life
-liberty
-property

6. V. John Locke: Government of Rights
Locke argued that the purpose of government was to protect people’s rights
If the government refused to protect those rights, then people had the right to change their government
By any means necessary…
-Vote
-Revolt
-Kill
-Atomic bombs (not really)

7. Writing Assignment:
Do you agree more with Locke or Hobbes about human nature and the role of government and rights? Explain yourself in a well written 3 paragraph essay…