Paper Summary:

The Enlightenment was a time when man, stepping out of his shackles, began to use his rational facilities to pull himself out of the medieval pits of mysticism and, in the process, shove aside the state and church authorities of the day. It was a spontaneous and defused movement, which fed upon itself and led to the great scientific discoveries from which we all benefit today. Beliefs in natural law and universal order developed, which not only promoted scientific findings and advancements of a material nature, but which also gave a scientific approach to political and social issues. Foremost among the Enlightenment ranks were John Locke (1632-1704) and Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). This paper examines their view on ethics and morality, focusing on their treatments of the following concepts: state of nature, social compact, and role of the government.

From the Paper:

"The moral philosopher instead will explain what makes an act right or a person virtuous. In discussing criteria of right action and virtuous character, the philosopher will try to try to show certain traits, such as honesty, generosity, and courage are worthy, and others, such as hypocrispy, selfishness, and cowardices are not. More generally, the moral philosopher seeks a clear and well-reasoned answer to the question: "What does it mean to be moral?" Both Locke and Hobbes attempt to answer this question in terms of what we, as responsible agents confronting wrong and right, ought to do. The emphasis is not becoming a virtuous individual, but, rather, on how people should act in relation to society and government."

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