Similarities Between Hobbes And Rousseau

Improved Essays
In political theory, the state of nature can be defined as an indication of the hypothetical conditions on how humans would behave or how their lives might have been before their inclusion within structured societies. Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are both political theorist who wrote their works based on their perspective on the state of nature extensively, we are able to distinguish their different point of views. Human nature by definition is “the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans” (Oxford). Hobbes and Rousseau wrote about their views and interpretations of human nature, which I will be comparing. Hobbes is well known to be an English philosopher, scientist and historian, but he is ultimately known for his political philosophy. His political philosophy can be articulated in his famous writing “Leviathan”. Leviathan is one of his most important works, due to it being an influential philosophical text during the seventeenth century. Hobbes wrote the Leviathan as a response to the fear he experienced during the political turmoil of the English Civil Wars. To start this comparison Hobbes explains the state of nature to be chaotic and full of conflicts, stating that people are more than willing to fight each other to in order to be able to survive …show more content…
The very slight similarity between is that human beings are free to act in order for their own self interest in the state of nature, but their accounts diverge on the issue of how they realize this self interest. Overall, we are able to analyze that Hobbes gas more a negative view about human nature, since without an “absolute sovereign” being present to keep in control our desires we will live in a very constant state of war. Rousseau’s theory contrasted Hobbes theories, as he thought that human nature is largely

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    government. Hobbes ideas impact our daily lives mainly his belief that states that the people should give up some of their rights to a more absolute power to protect them and regulate the society around them. This idea is known as a social compact or contract that states that, in their natural state, Hobbes believed that people would fight only for their self-interest and attack those who were in pursuit of their interests. The only way to stop people from engaging in this natural act was to create a government that would enforce the law and protect people from their state of nature. Hobbes negative view towards the nature of humans parallels that of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence.…

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The state of nature is viewed differently by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Hobbes views that state of nature and man in a negative light with everyone being only for themselves. Locke views the state of nature in…

    • 2006 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    How does Hobbes’s view of nature shape his political theory? Political theories make suppositions about nature and/or natural laws. These boundaries (including the behaviors of the people within it) shape actions and decision-making, and the rules of nature thusly form the foundation of the ideology. It is prudent to analyze in-depth this basis for the moral and political philosophy of the great thinkers. The assumptions must make sense if the overall theory of thought built upon this foundation is to hold up.…

    • 1623 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes states that “in order to live a more contented life… men must give up their freedom to the State” (Document 2). He believed that people were naturally cruel and needed protection from themselves. Hobbes wanted rule by absolute monarchs. He thought it was the only way to keep people in check. His beliefs closely supported how many people thought back then.…

    • 490 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes Vs. Rousseau

    • 1582 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hobbes argues that men are innately selfish, while Rousseau believes that humans are naturally good beings. Rousseau argues that the “nature” presented by Hobbes is in fact “unnatural.” Hobbes argues that man is evil, that government is needed in order to protect the public, that the government should be all-powerful, and that power should not be shared. In contrast, Rousseau argues that man is good and that society is the reason that man has been misbehaving, that the government’s purpose is to protect the social contract, that the government should be able to be overthrown, and that power should be shared and direct. The main divergence in these two educated philosophers theories is the fact that Hobbes believes that society is needed in order to prevent mankind from a “human nature” that is beastly and savage, while Rousseau argues that human nature is inherently good, however when man come together in society, they corrupt…

    • 1582 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The description of the state of nature is only a prelude to political theories concerning the ideal political system for humans to live in. On one hand, Rousseau depicted natural man as solitary and peaceful as he illustrated how man is tainted as he becomes societal via the process of moving into society. To him, society is the corrupting force that transforms ‘natural man’ into the self-obsessed beast that Hobbes declares he is. He does not deny Hobbes’ concept of state of nature but declares it incorrect and gives it his own significant meaning. For Rousseau, reverting back to the state of nature is much more than the removal of government or authority.…

    • 1051 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    ‘In the social sciences, the most general concept of power links it to the ability to achieve a desired outcome’ (Heywood 2004). Power is a heavily contested concept amongst humans and has always been present within political thought throughout all eras. It is, in most cases, outlined as the capability to impose authority upon both individuals, and the masses within a state or territorial region, in order to control or influence decisions and their effects. This essay will discuss the similarities in the analysis of political power between two key philosophers from the 16th and 17th century who are thought to have founded features of modern-day political science. Both Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes specialised in theorising the idea…

    • 1550 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sometimes, a lot of people want the same exact thing. Unfortunately, we can’t all have the same thing. So, according to Hobbes, appetite, scarcity, and power are key features of the state of nature. He views the state of nature as full of violence and fear, but also full of people only looking out for…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The nature of man and the state of nature have varied and contrast immensely throughout different societies. Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau’s ideas about the state of man clash in the form of politics and social contracts. Locke’s view involves the power residing within the people, and the government is there to protect their property, life, and liberty. Hobbes’ ideas are in favor of a monarchy in order to keep the citizens secure and free from harm. Rousseau’s ideas on the politics shares a collective will amongst the population.…

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes and Rousseau differ in their ideas on the state of nature, Hobbes has a negative view, while Rousseau believes we were better off in the state of nature. The basis for their different ideas on the state of nature contribute to their diverging ideas on their accounts of government by social contract. Hobbes argues for citizens relinquishing their authority to the state, while Rousseau contends for the sovereign authority to be in the hand of the citizens. I will argue that Rousseau makes a more convincing argument because it is one of compromise rather than extremism. Hobbes’ account of government by social contract is based on the basic principle and rational that people give up some of their rights in order to feel secure.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both theorists believe in natural rights and freedoms and how men establish governments in order to secure peace however they differ on the purpose of government. Hobbes believed the purpose of government is to impose law and order to prevent the state of war. Locke believed the purpose of government is to secure natural rights, namely man’s property and liberty. Both refer to a “state of nature” in which man exists without government, and both speak of risks in this state. However, while both speak of the dangers of a state of nature, Hobbes is more pessimistic, whereas Locke speaks of the potential benefits.…

    • 908 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    CONTRACTARIANISM INTRODUCTION “Any of the various theories that justify moral principles and political choices because they depend on a social contract involving certain ideal conditions. A general ethical theory, that individuals make the right choices under a hypothetical social contract.” (www.dictionary.com) “Contractarianism, which stems from the Hobbesian line of social contract thought, holds that persons are primarily self-interested, and that a rational assessment of the best strategy for attaining the maximization of their self-interest will lead them to act morally (where the moral norms are determined by the maximization of joint interest) and to consent to governmental authority. Contractualism, which stems from the Kantian…

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes Views On Rebellion

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages

    He believed that society in order to be successful had to be ruled by a strict system of government such as absolute monarchy. In Hobbes’s dissertation “The Leviathan”(1651) a book where he expresses his views he explains that a law of nature was "a precept, or general rule, found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life” (Hobbes, 1651, ch14/XIV, p. 64). The law of nature was a broad principle which was discovered through experience and expected to be to be followed in everyday life. These laws encouraged self preservation and disapproved any doings damaging or negative to human life such a rebellions which could result in civil…

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli, both grappling with regional instability and constant war, arrive at different frameworks for handling man’s inherent propensity for conflict from very similar models of human behavior. Hobbes, watching his fellow countrymen fight each other during the English Civil War, decided that humans perpetually desire more power to secure their well-being and therefore incline toward warfare as a means to achieve this. Machiavelli, similarly accustomed to the restless Italian Peninsula, also labeled man as power-hungry and self-centered, always striving for enough freedom to ensure one’s prosperity. In the absence of the structure and organization provided by a government, a situation dubbed mankind’s ‘natural…

    • 1255 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Hobbes cared about maximizing liberty, defining social justice, and knowing how to divide the limits of the government power. The process of the state of nature is formed by a community and a government. People would view him as a “Psychological egoist” he was over the top with an unrealistic view of human nature. In the laws of nature and the social contract, “Hobbes thinks the state of nature is something we ought to avoid, at any cost except our own self presentation” (Thomas Hobbes). Hobbes believed in a social contract and how it would help the government rule the society.…

    • 1796 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays