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