Philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both precursors of The Age of Enlightenment, during which the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century caused a shift in the theories and politics of the thinkers of this time. Unlike the philosophers of the Renaissance, the preceding era, Hobbes and Locke were not influenced by religious interpretations and biblical tenets; instead, akin to the other secular philosophers of The Enlightenment, they were driven by reason and science to understand and theorize on the nature of human existence and authority. Yet, despite of their similar approaches, they arrived at conflicting conclusions as a result of the different circumstances they lived through, which affected their views on human nature
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Implementing religious dogma, King James proposed that certain individuals are chosen by or are descended from God to hold absolute power, and are not to be under the authority of the masses, aristocracy, or any form of earthly sovereignty. In the The True Law of Free Monarchies, he argued that “kings are called gods by the prophetic King David [...] to minister justice and judgment to the people” in an absolute monarchy, which “form of government, as resembling the divinity, approacheth nearest to perfection”. However, Hobbes and Locke deviated from these religious interpretations, and instead used scientific methodology to approach the question of rule and society, leading them to both agree on the existence of a state of nature, which refers to the intrinsic behavior of humans unconfined by civic authority. Hobbes approached this question using the geometric method in specific, as he established set definitions from which he built sufficient arguments. Through that, he defined a state of nature and used it to justify the consequential need for a social contract. Similarly, Locke used a similar approach: empiricism. Combining knowledge and observations, he defined his state of nature as well as the need for a succeeding social contract. Not only were both thinkers in favor of a social contract in order to secure a civil, functioning society, but they also agreed that, in their respective states of nature, all humans were created equal; none of them are naturally chosen to hold absolute authority, and they all possess natural rights . Therefore, they concurred that, in the social contract, citizens must consent to surrender some of their rights to an
Implementing religious dogma, King James proposed that certain individuals are chosen by or are descended from God to hold absolute power, and are not to be under the authority of the masses, aristocracy, or any form of earthly sovereignty. In the The True Law of Free Monarchies, he argued that “kings are called gods by the prophetic King David [...] to minister justice and judgment to the people” in an absolute monarchy, which “form of government, as resembling the divinity, approacheth nearest to perfection”. However, Hobbes and Locke deviated from these religious interpretations, and instead used scientific methodology to approach the question of rule and society, leading them to both agree on the existence of a state of nature, which refers to the intrinsic behavior of humans unconfined by civic authority. Hobbes approached this question using the geometric method in specific, as he established set definitions from which he built sufficient arguments. Through that, he defined a state of nature and used it to justify the consequential need for a social contract. Similarly, Locke used a similar approach: empiricism. Combining knowledge and observations, he defined his state of nature as well as the need for a succeeding social contract. Not only were both thinkers in favor of a social contract in order to secure a civil, functioning society, but they also agreed that, in their respective states of nature, all humans were created equal; none of them are naturally chosen to hold absolute authority, and they all possess natural rights . Therefore, they concurred that, in the social contract, citizens must consent to surrender some of their rights to an