Locke and Hobbes: Two Contrasting Ideologies

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Thomas Hobbes and John Locke's conflicting views of human understanding and how they have influenced political ideology in terms of social order, economics, and the role of government. The writer describes how both men constructed their philosophies on the basis of their understanding of the nature of man, and explains what they have in common as well as where they differ radically. The writer explains that thanks to Hobbes and Locke, we now have certain necessary standards with regard to government, economics, and social order. Their aspirations for the appropriate government, economy, and society have given birth to several ideologies, the significant two being liberalism, from Locke's concept of human morality, and conservatism, from Hobbes' view that human rationality cannot be relied upon.

From the Paper:

"Furthermore, the dissimilar natures of man allowed the philosophers to establish altering concepts on the authority of the state. Hobbes views government with unlimited power as the most effective and beneficial method for society since man is vulnerable to evil since he seeks pleasure before rationality. Locke, on the other hand, believes that a legitimate government constitutes a state working within the limits of the social contract, meaning that its sole purpose is simply to safeguard man's natural rights. These perceptions of human nature gave birth to two main ideologies, liberalism and conservatism, both containing one of the philosopher's views on society, economy, and government."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Eachard, John,. Mr. Hobb's State of Nature Considered. London: Routledge/Thoemmes, 1996.
• Heywood, Andrew. Political Ideologies An Introduction, Fourth Edition. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
• Jenkins, John J. Understanding Locke an introduction to philosophy through John Locke's Essay. Edinburgh: University P, 1983.
• Leyden, W. V. John Locke's Essays on the Law of Nature. 1st ed. London: Oxford UP, 1954.
• Locke, John. Second treatise of government and, A letter concerning toleration. Mineola, N.Y: Dover Publications, 2002.

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