It is amazing how the two most influential philosophers can be polar opposite but at the same time agree on other topics. These two philosophers are Englishmen Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Thomas Hobbes was born on April 5, 1588, while John Locke was born 44 years later on August 29,1632. Both men went to Oxford University in England to get their degrees in philosophy. Although these men have similarities in their educational backgrounds their philosophies are a bit different.
The two-philosopher agreed that the nature of Humankind was defined by our State of Nature. Meaning that both men believed that without government us human would be in constant war because they would become selfish. Hobbes believed that the State of Nature of men was …show more content…
In other words, who is the one with the ultimate power of the government? Hobbes believed that the monarchy holds the ultimate power of government. Hobbes most political book was called Leviathan, Leviathan is a sea creature that is mentioned in chapter 41 in the book of Job from the bible. In this book, Hobbes believes that humans need a government with a strong power where there is no revolution and that no one questions the government’s ruling. Locke is the polar opposite of Hobbes, he believes that the people have the ultimate power when it comes to governing. He believes that the government should be the ones who choose their leaders and if they disagree with the leaders then they can revolt. Locke believed that that the government should be limited. America's democratic system was largely influenced by Locke’s theory, the government here is led by the people and for the people. We also have checks and balance where the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) make sure no one has more power than the other.
In conclusion, both philosophers has somewhat some similarities but also some very big differences. Although they disagree on some points such as why we need a government and who has sovereignty. There is no doubt that without government we would be living in a world full of selfish people. This is something that both Thomas Hobbes and John Locke could agree with.
The two-philosopher agreed that the nature of Humankind was defined by our State of Nature. Meaning that both men believed that without government us human would be in constant war because they would become selfish. Hobbes believed that the State of Nature of men was …show more content…
In other words, who is the one with the ultimate power of the government? Hobbes believed that the monarchy holds the ultimate power of government. Hobbes most political book was called Leviathan, Leviathan is a sea creature that is mentioned in chapter 41 in the book of Job from the bible. In this book, Hobbes believes that humans need a government with a strong power where there is no revolution and that no one questions the government’s ruling. Locke is the polar opposite of Hobbes, he believes that the people have the ultimate power when it comes to governing. He believes that the government should be the ones who choose their leaders and if they disagree with the leaders then they can revolt. Locke believed that that the government should be limited. America's democratic system was largely influenced by Locke’s theory, the government here is led by the people and for the people. We also have checks and balance where the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) make sure no one has more power than the other.
In conclusion, both philosophers has somewhat some similarities but also some very big differences. Although they disagree on some points such as why we need a government and who has sovereignty. There is no doubt that without government we would be living in a world full of selfish people. This is something that both Thomas Hobbes and John Locke could agree with.