History Final - Essay Outline

Front 1

INTRODUCTION

Back 1

-after English civil war, there were great changes to govt, but also new ideas about govt.
-Hobbes philosopher from 1600s
-strong ideas about "state of nature" and anarchy ~ came from seeing war and chaos
-wrote book Leviathan outlining philosophy in 1651
-other philosophers too - Locke, but Hobbes got it right.
-three main topics = state of nature, rights, and social contract. contradictory ideas.
-thesis statement

Front 2

BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
state of nature

Back 2

-leviathan - originally state of nature, anarchy everyone naturally equal
-SON chaotic, so people do what they need to do to survive. competition and fighting
-"Life is brutish, short and harsh in the state of nature."
-need powerful government = absolute monarchy
-John Locke, very different = Second Treatise on Civil Govt... he said people are self sufficient
-thought people should be in charge of dissolving govt.
-his idea is that people are relatively perfect and don't need forceful ruling of govt.
-I think... Locke = unpractical as human condition is not factored in. Hobbes recognizes people aren't perfect and need government to guide them.

Front 3

BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
social contract

Back 3

-idea of social contract a concept from English contract law.
-Hobbes believes that people, among themselves, agree to give up rights and freedom to give power to sovereign (king). they agree that this king will would enforce laws to secure safety and fairness and peacefullness
-John locke follows his ideas about the social contract.
-Hobbes is right = makes sense to have secure society.
-Even Locke agrees as he agrees that people first lived in an anarchy and then made a social contract

Front 4

BODY PARAGRAPH THREE
rights

Back 4

-Hobbes thinks that once social contract is agreed and king in place, they have no right to revolt, as if in kings best interest to prevent anarchy and help society.
-Locke felt that by trusting the government, people shouldn't give up rights. keep natural rights.if nr are alienated, can overthrow govt.
-Hobbes right, b/c in this case idea is more practical. Makes sense to have the government rule over and dictate so the govt can decide what is right and wrong. Locke= people can do whatever they want by overthrowing the govt.
-Even if people in Hobbes' scenario were deprived of natural rights, at least they would not live in Locke's anarchy when the govt is overthrown.

Front 5

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

Back 5

summarize. add key points. restate thesis.

Front 6

THESIS STATEMENT

Back 6

While there were many different philosophers with many different ideas about how to run the govt in the 1600s, Hobbes got it right as he had the most practical and conscientious ideas.