Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke Interpretations of Human...

Through time people have always wondered what it is that makes us who we are. It has been our human nature that has kept us intrigued with ourselves, and our relationships with others. With this curiosity came various interpretations as to our human nature, each changing the way we see the societal world we live in. With each interpretation came a new understanding of people and the relationship they hold with each other. Human nature has been one of the most studied elements of the world we live in. From our nature came the interest of how we as humans interact with each other, through the development of our nature some have served and others had ruled. Three philosophers that have focused their political ideas around human nature†¦show more content†¦If mankind is so self centered it would be hard to create a stable society. Hobbes says, â€Å"So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly , glory† (293). Through this one can see that people do actually act according to their own benefit. If each person seeks things for their benefit, it wouldn’t be long before fights would break out. These fights would soon become mini wars and maybe worse than that. If there is no control mechanism for this kind of society there would be no trust amongst the people and war would be never ending. Hobbes looked further into the issue and came to the conclusion that mankind was being selfish not merely for that reason but for the sake of survival. He believed that man was inherently prone to fight to survive but without a structure to that mindset survival would transform to what I have mentioned before selfishness. Hobbes goes on to speak about mankind’s â€Å"natural right,† he says, â€Å"as long as this natural right of every man to every things endureth, there can be no security to any man† (295). The only way to balance this fact of human nature is to establish an absolute power that can put some control amongst the people. Hobbes proposed something that would meet the requirements to control a society that is naturally looking for their own survival. He goes on to say, â€Å"a common power, to keep them in awe, and to direct their actions toShow MoreRelatedRousseau s State Of Nature1037 Words   |  5 PagesRousseau defines the state of nature as â€Å"The hypothetical, prehistoric place and time where human beings live uncorrupted by society† (Editors). According to Rousseau, in the state of nature people have complete physical freedom and are at liberty to do whatever they want (Editors). The state of nature for Rousseau is where human beings have not discovered rationality or morality (Editors). The state of nature keeps us from turning psychopathic as opposed to society who Rousseau says is to blameRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The State Of Nature1727 Words   |  7 Pagesphilosophers the notion of the State of Nature, a concept used to describe the hypothetical conditions of human life before the development of societies, is important in determining political societies, or the governmental structures that composed these. However, many philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature. In this essay I am going to use the writings of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau to explain how their notions of the State of Nature shape the way they envision politicalRead MoreEvolution and the Modern Social Contract Theory : Essay Outline1050 Words   |  5 Pageswill identify the key thinkers in the development of the theory by introducing each of them and discussing their respective political theory of the subject. 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In the Second Treatise[1] and the Discourse on Inequality[2], Locke and Rousseau, respectively, put forward very interesting and different accounts of the state of nature and the evolutionRead MoreWhat Makes a Political Authority Legitimate?2025 Words   |  9 Pagesthree theories shall be looked at – Hobbes’, Rousseau and finally Locke and determine which gives the most persuasive account of legitimate political authority. To begin with, their hypothetical starting point, the state of nature, shall be discussed to establish the foundations of their political authority. Secondly, the reasons that shall lead man to get out of the state of nature will be examined in order to see if these logically follow on from the state of nature. Finally, the theorist’s versionsRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1789 Words   |  8 Pagesinherent nature of man is truly savage and cannot be contained by any form of civil government. Characters, setting, atmosphere, and other elements are all used by Golding in the novel as metaphors and symbols to ultimately reveal the natural intention of man. In Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Locke’s Concerning Civil Government , and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract, they share their own personal interpretations on man’s inherent nature, with the closest to Golding being Hobbes. Although