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Hobbes And Locke

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Hobbes and Locke have similar viewpoints regarding human psychology. Both philosophers see all individuals
as equals until an event causes change. Hobbes and Locke have differing causes for humans to enter a state of
war creating inequality. Both Hobbes and Locke see a need for a bond between the people to be created in order
to stop the fighting. Both philosophers see a need for a state or commonwealth to be created in order to sustain
the bond made by the people. Finally Hobbes and Locke believe laws need to be created in order to maintain
order within the state or commonwealth. Hobbes and Locke have provided detailed political theories based
heavily on human psychology.
Both Hobbes and Locke believe that everyone begins as equals. Hobbes shares his vision of equality by stating,
Nature has made men so equal in the faculties of the body and mind, as that, though there be found one man
sometimes manifestly stronger in body or of quicker mind than another; yet when all is reckoned together, the
difference between man and man is not so considerable as that one man can thereupon claim to himself any
benefit to which another may not pretend as well as he. (Hobbes, 423R.) In this quote Hobbes shows that
naturally all men are equal. Some may be smarter or stronger, etc. but these differences are not drastic enough
for a man to consider himself superior than others. Locke shares a similar view point by stating, a state also of
equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another; there being
nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same
advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should be equal one among another without
subordination or subjection, unless the lord and master of them all should, by any manifest declaration of his
will, set one above the other. (Locke, 498L.) Locke describes that no one should be discriminated or given
lesser opportunity. All share the power equally. The only way to gain superiority over the others is if God sets
you above others. From this point Locke and Hobbes have differing viewpoints on how that equality is broken.
Hobbes claims that this equality is preceded by diffidence. Hobbes defines diffidence as, hope in the attaining
of our ends. (Hobbes, 424L.) His definition of diffidence can be interpreted as the hope to obtain our goals and
become superior to others. Hobbes shows the cause of diffidence by stating, and therefore if any two men
desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and in the way to their
end (which is principally their own conservation, and sometimes their declaration only) endeavor to destroy or
subdue one another. (Hobbes, 424L.) Men become enemies by wanting the same thing and the best way of
obtaining what you want is by removing your competition. Hobbes shows that this diffidence comes war by
describing, and from this diffidence of one another, there is no way for any man to secure himself so
reasonable as anticipation, that is, by force or wiles, to master the persons of all men he can so long till he see no
other power great enough to endanger him. (Hobbes, 424L.) War is caused by the desire to be the most
powerful. Locke doesnt see equality dissolving through competition. Locke explains, he who attempts to get
another man into his absolute power, does thereby put himself into a state of war with him; it being to be
understood as a declaration of a design upon his life: for I have reason to conclude, that he who would get me
into his power without my consent, would use me as he pleased when he had got me there, and destroy me too
when he had a when he had a fancy to it. (Locke, 501R.) By trying to assert power over another man you are
threatening his life, but how do you attempt to get another man into your absolute power? Locke answers that by
responding, he that, in the state of nature, would take away the freedom that belongs to anyone in that state
must necessarily be supposed to have a foundation of all the rest. (Locke, 501R.) One that takes away freedoms
that belong to anyone could possibly be a criminal, thief, murderer, etc. Locke describes one who has a
foundation of all the rest as someone who has broken the law before and therefore has the basis for taking away
everything else. When dealing with someone who is attempting to place you under his or her power, Locke
explains, Therefore it is lawful for me to treat him as one who has put himself into a state of war with me, i.e.,
kill him if I can. (Locke, 502L.) The way to remove the threat of being under the power of another is to remove
the individual who is creating the threat.
Both Hobbes and Locke would say that the people must band together in order to stop the war. Hobbes states,
the passions that incline men to peace are fear of death. (Hobbes, 425R.) People realize that all of this fighting
will destroy them all and create peace in order to avoid their own death. Locke explains, the only way whereby
anyone divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other
men to join and unite into a community for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living one among another, in a
secure enjoyment of their properties, and a greater security against any, that are not of it. (Locke, 522L.) Locke
is sharing that in order to have an enjoyable and protected life, you must give up your rights. Hobbes and Locke
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Hobbes And Locke

both explain that people must bond together in order to avoid the chaos of war.
Hobbes and Locke agree that an organized state must be created in order to maintain the bond created between
the citizens. Hobbes states, the final cause, end, or design of men in the introduction of that restraint upon
themselves is the foresight of their own preservation and of a more contented life thereby, that is to say, of
getting themselves out from that miserable condition of war which is necessarily consequent to the natural
passions of men, when there is no visible power to keep them in awe and tie them by fear of punishment to the
performance of their covenants and observation of those laws of nature. (Hobbes, 441L.) If there is no visible
power men will slip back into the ways of war. This power will keep them in check by supplying the threat of
punishment. Locke explains, the great and chief end, therefore of mens uniting into commonwealths, and
putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property. To which in the state of nature there
are many things wanting. (Locke, 529R.) Locke is sharing that by creating a commonwealth, people have less
worry about their property. When people are less worried about their property being taken by other, there is less
chance for people entering the state of war. Both Hobbes and Locke agree that a commonwealth needs to be
created in order to sustain the bond created between citizens and keep them out of a state of war.
Hobbes and Locke both see a need for laws to be created in order for the commonwealth to even further keep
the citizen out of a state of war. Locke shares, it is not, nor can possibly by absolutely arbitrary over the lives
and fortunes of the people: for it being but the joint power of every member of the society given up to that
person, or assembly, which is legislator; it can be no more than those persons had in a state of nature before they
entered into society, and gave up to the community. (Locke, 531R.) The people gave up their natural rights in
order to protect themselves. Therefore the government must act in the best interest of the people. Locke also
explains, The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property without his own consent: for
the preservation of property being the end of government, and that for which men enter into society, it
necessarily supposes and requires, that the people should have property. (Locke, 533L.) Locke describes that
people need to be protected from the government in order to maintain some rights. The main goal of government
in Lockes eyes is to protect people property. If the government is allowed to take peoples property then how are
they protecting it? By taking property, the government itself would be causing individuals to enter a state of
war. Instead of creating laws to protect the people from the government, Hobbes believes in laws that protect
people from one another. Hobbes has a democratic view on creating laws and government. He states, a
commonwealth is said to be instituted when a multitude of men do agree and covenant, every one with every
one, that to whatsoever man or assembly of men shall be given by the major part the right o present the person
of them all. (Hobbes, 443R.) Hobbes is sharing that the people have the ability to chose who will govern them
and the people have the responsibility of choosing the candidate who will make choices that favor them most.
Hobbes continues by saying, he that voted for it as he that voted against it, shall authorize all the actions and
judgments of that man, or assembly of men, in the same manner as if they were his own, to the end to live
peaceably amongst themselves and be protected against other men. (Hobbes, 443R.) This statement reinforces
the democratic views of Hobbes. It shows that even if you didnt vote for current leader, you have to respect and
accept his decisions because you are part of a group that is larger and has more important needs than the needs
of yourself.
All in all, Hobbes and Locke both have constructed intricate descriptions of human psychology that essentially
shapes their larger political theory. Hobbes and Locke see all people as equal until an event creates conflict
between people. Both philosophers have reasons for humans to enter a state of war against each other. Hobbes
and Locke see a need for a bond to be created in order to exit the state of war. Both philosophers believe a state
or commonwealth needs to be put in place in order to hold the bond created by the people together. Finally, both
Hobbes and Locke see a demand for laws in order to maintain tranquility in the new state or commonwealth. By
going through these steps a society can enter a superior state in the eyes of Hobbes or Locke.

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