The opinions of philosophers with respect to human nature have evolved for centuries. Their studies on the subject have helped establish conventional standards believed to help citizens create a balanced social and personal lifestyle. These norms were constructed in what we call: social contracts. The fathers of these social contracts were philosophers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Their founding ethics gave birth to future philosophers’ views and opinions on these social standards. While some differences between Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau’s social contracts are evident, the premises of their contracts are quite similar.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher, known today for his work in political philosophy. He adopted an “atomistic” conception of society in which the individual, not the group, is central (Hobbes, p.157). Influenced by the New Science Era, he had a very negative and pessimistic philosophy towards human nature. Hobbes believed that without a stable government, the state of nature would end in total war. He believed …show more content…
Locke’s social contract theory consisted of individuals creating a government to govern their laws so they could achieve happiness. Rousseau’s social contract theory involved individuals being forced to live in a society where you are “free”. The social contract with the most social liberty for the individual is clearly John Locke’s. Hobbes and Rousseau’s have a harsher view of human nature, therefore a hasher social contract. In the end, all of these philosophers have a different perspective of what the ideal state of nature should be, therefore their social contract are all different. From the evidence above, it is very easy to connect aspects of our society today to the ideologies of these political philosophers, the fathers of social
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher, known today for his work in political philosophy. He adopted an “atomistic” conception of society in which the individual, not the group, is central (Hobbes, p.157). Influenced by the New Science Era, he had a very negative and pessimistic philosophy towards human nature. Hobbes believed that without a stable government, the state of nature would end in total war. He believed …show more content…
Locke’s social contract theory consisted of individuals creating a government to govern their laws so they could achieve happiness. Rousseau’s social contract theory involved individuals being forced to live in a society where you are “free”. The social contract with the most social liberty for the individual is clearly John Locke’s. Hobbes and Rousseau’s have a harsher view of human nature, therefore a hasher social contract. In the end, all of these philosophers have a different perspective of what the ideal state of nature should be, therefore their social contract are all different. From the evidence above, it is very easy to connect aspects of our society today to the ideologies of these political philosophers, the fathers of social