Question

contrasting hobbes and locke
based on what you have read, explain the key differences in the views of hobbes and locke on the social contract.
write two to three sentences that identify the central points of each persons argument.

Explanation:

Thomas Hobbes argued that the natural state of humanity was a chaotic "war of all against all," so people surrendered nearly all their rights to an absolute sovereign via the social contract to gain safety and order, with no right to revolt against this authority. John Locke, by contrast, viewed the natural state as one of freedom and equality with inherent rights to life, liberty, and property; the social contract created a limited government only to protect these rights, and people retained the right to overthrow a government that failed to uphold its duties.

Answer:

Thomas Hobbes believed the natural human state was violent and chaotic, so the social contract required people to give nearly all rights to an absolute sovereign to secure safety, with no right to resist that authority. John Locke held that humans had inherent natural rights to life, liberty, and property in a peaceful natural state, and the social contract established a limited government solely to protect these rights, allowing people to revolt if the government breaks its obligation.