Comparing Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacque Rousseau: Views on The Social Contract
“There are no facts, only interpretations.” This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche illustrates a key point to philosophy; everything stated is solely an opinion. Throughout the text, Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy, Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau each express their own philosophy regarding the social contract through their most famous writing. They express both similar and differing views regarding the topic, however their opposing ideas seem to be prevalent. In Leviathan, Hobbes prefers a state in which the government has total power. In Rousseau’s Books 1 and 2, he justifies that sovereignty should be in the hands of the people. Although Hobbes and Rousseau share some similar philosophies regarding the social contract, through further analysis it will become clear that their attitude, beliefs, and interpretations of the topic differ tremendously.
To begin, Hobbes had a very pessimistic view on society and believed that government was necessary to protect the people from each other. In Leviathan, Hobbes stated, “The only way to erect such a common …show more content…
Hobbes believes that if we were left without civilization to guide and control our selfish desires, humans would stop at no end to achieve them. In difference, Rousseau believes that the only reason humans act selfish is because society has made us this way, and he believes that without civilization, humans would act peacefully and freely. To add, Hobbes feels that humans should give up their rights and liberties to a higher power who rules their interest whereas Rousseau feels that sovereignty should be in the hands of the people and governments should just be enforcers. It is obvious that the differences between the two are dominant regarding the matter, in fact, they have nearly opposite
“There are no facts, only interpretations.” This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche illustrates a key point to philosophy; everything stated is solely an opinion. Throughout the text, Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy, Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau each express their own philosophy regarding the social contract through their most famous writing. They express both similar and differing views regarding the topic, however their opposing ideas seem to be prevalent. In Leviathan, Hobbes prefers a state in which the government has total power. In Rousseau’s Books 1 and 2, he justifies that sovereignty should be in the hands of the people. Although Hobbes and Rousseau share some similar philosophies regarding the social contract, through further analysis it will become clear that their attitude, beliefs, and interpretations of the topic differ tremendously.
To begin, Hobbes had a very pessimistic view on society and believed that government was necessary to protect the people from each other. In Leviathan, Hobbes stated, “The only way to erect such a common …show more content…
Hobbes believes that if we were left without civilization to guide and control our selfish desires, humans would stop at no end to achieve them. In difference, Rousseau believes that the only reason humans act selfish is because society has made us this way, and he believes that without civilization, humans would act peacefully and freely. To add, Hobbes feels that humans should give up their rights and liberties to a higher power who rules their interest whereas Rousseau feels that sovereignty should be in the hands of the people and governments should just be enforcers. It is obvious that the differences between the two are dominant regarding the matter, in fact, they have nearly opposite