Law is a system of rules that are enforced through social institutions to govern behaviour. Its main purpose is to protect the rights of individuals. Philosophers play a key role in law because they represent ancient, historical, and contemporary attitudes, and influenced jurisprudence and contemporary legal thought worldwide. Four of the many philosophers who influenced law are Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jeremy Bentham, and John Stuart Mill. This paper will discuss the similarities and differences between Hobbes and Locke, which have similar and opposing thoughts towards human nature, society, and the government, and Bentham and Mill, as that of utilitarianism and its impact on society and government.
The Origin of Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes was an English philosopher, born on April 5, 1588, in Westport, England. He attended Oxford University, and was interested in mathematics and philosophy. In 1651, Hobbes wrote his best-known work, Leviathan, which was inspired by political events …show more content…
He believed that human-made law was more important than natural law. In a state of nature, Hobbes claimed that property existed by the will of the state, and that men were destined to war (James). He believed justice depended on the existence of a superior power, in which he must protect life, property, and contract. Hobbes stated that people need government to legislate laws to control their relationships with one another.
Moreover, citizens made a social contract, in which they surrendered to govern themselves to the ruling power and no longer controlled their ruler. Therefore, justice depended on people’s obedience to civil law. Consequently, Hobbes declared, “No action can be unjust. But when a covenant is made, then to break it is unjust: And the definition of Injustice is no other than the not performance of a covenant” (Oxford University Press
The Origin of Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes was an English philosopher, born on April 5, 1588, in Westport, England. He attended Oxford University, and was interested in mathematics and philosophy. In 1651, Hobbes wrote his best-known work, Leviathan, which was inspired by political events …show more content…
He believed that human-made law was more important than natural law. In a state of nature, Hobbes claimed that property existed by the will of the state, and that men were destined to war (James). He believed justice depended on the existence of a superior power, in which he must protect life, property, and contract. Hobbes stated that people need government to legislate laws to control their relationships with one another.
Moreover, citizens made a social contract, in which they surrendered to govern themselves to the ruling power and no longer controlled their ruler. Therefore, justice depended on people’s obedience to civil law. Consequently, Hobbes declared, “No action can be unjust. But when a covenant is made, then to break it is unjust: And the definition of Injustice is no other than the not performance of a covenant” (Oxford University Press