Hobbs vs. Locke
Thomas Hobbes, 1588-1679.
A natural law philosopher.
Leviathan (1651) was considered Hobbes's masterpiece.
“From this equality of ability arises equality of hope in the attaining of our
ends. And therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless
they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and to achieve their end, which
is principally their own preservation, and sometimes their pleasure only,
endeavor to destroy or subdue one another.” (Leviathan)
“...that a man be willing ...to lay down his right to all things. For as long as
every man holds the right of doing anything he likes, so long are all men in a state of war.” (Leviathan)
“Men are constantly in competition for honor and dignity...and consequently, among men there arises envy
and hatred and finally war...” (Leviathan)
“The only way to erect such a common power which may defend them from the invasion of foreigners and
the injuries of one another...is to confer al their power and strength upon one man....” (Leviathan)
“The function of a sovereign...consists in the purpose for which he was entrusted with the sovereign power,
namely the securing of the safety of the people; to which he is obliged by the law of nature, and to render an
account thereof to God, the author of that law, and to none but him.” (Leviathan)
“One of the interesting elements of Hobbes's story is that concepts like morality, liberty, justice,
property, etc. have no natural, intrinsic or eternal meaning. They are pure social constructions. They are
generated and imposed by the Leviathan, through his laws and institutions, to keep war and social
disorder at bay. As history has shown, no set of values will last forever but will evolve as circumstances
change.
Hobbes is particularly keen to note that law itself is completely dependent on power. A law without a
credible and powerful authority behind it is just simply not a law in any meaningful sense. Hobbes is
thus one of the progenitors of "legal positivism", i.e. that justice is whatever the law says it is. An
"unjust law" is simply an oxymoron.
For Hobbes, power legitimates, power is justice. The State -- whatever its form -- is always, by
definition, right, as long as it is capable of maintaining civil peace.”
(Hobbs: http://homepage.newschool.edu/het//profiles/hobbes.htm)
How does Hobbes describe the natural state of humans?
What does this have to do with the kind of government Hobbes recommends?
Hobbs vs. Locke
A Key to John Locke
Please read the following excerpts taken from John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government and
then re-write them in your own words. Finally, circle the number on a scale of 1 to 5 corresponding
with how much you agree or disagree with Mr. Locke’s quote.
1.
“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally.
…[B]eing equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health or
possessions”.
1
disagree
2.
2
2
5
agree
3
neutral
4
5
agree
“The old [traditions] are apt to lead men into mistakes, as this [idea] of [fatherly] power’s
probably has done, which seems so [eager] to place the power of parents over their children
wholly in the father, as if the mother has no share in it. Whereas if we consult reason or
[the Bible], we shall find she has an equal title.”
1
disagree
4.
4
“We have reason to conclude that all peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in
the consent of the people.”
1
disagree
3.
3
neutral
2
3
neutral
4
5
agree
“Whensoever...the [government] shall…put into the hands of any other an absolute power
over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the
power [of] the people…who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the
establishment of the new [government] provide for their own safety and security.”
1
disagree
2
3
neutral
4
5
agree