John Locke's philosophy evolved from the individualism proposed by Hobbes, advocating for limited government and personal freedom through Natural Justice and rights. Locke's key works include two treatises on government, where he contrasts his views on the state of nature and social contract with those of Hobbes, emphasizing equality and moral duty. He argues that the social contract is a voluntary agreement among equals, aimed at establishing a community while preserving individual freedoms.
John Locke's philosophy evolved from the individualism proposed by Hobbes, advocating for limited government and personal freedom through Natural Justice and rights. Locke's key works include two treatises on government, where he contrasts his views on the state of nature and social contract with those of Hobbes, emphasizing equality and moral duty. He argues that the social contract is a voluntary agreement among equals, aimed at establishing a community while preserving individual freedoms.
John Locke's philosophy evolved from the individualism proposed by Hobbes, advocating for limited government and personal freedom through Natural Justice and rights. Locke's key works include two treatises on government, where he contrasts his views on the state of nature and social contract with those of Hobbes, emphasizing equality and moral duty. He argues that the social contract is a voluntary agreement among equals, aimed at establishing a community while preserving individual freedoms.
John Locke's philosophy evolved from the individualism proposed by Hobbes, advocating for limited government and personal freedom through Natural Justice and rights. Locke's key works include two treatises on government, where he contrasts his views on the state of nature and social contract with those of Hobbes, emphasizing equality and moral duty. He argues that the social contract is a voluntary agreement among equals, aimed at establishing a community while preserving individual freedoms.
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JOHN LOCKE
Introduction:
Hobbes gave idea of individualism to be protected by absolutist government, but later developments of 17th century took a different course of action to protect and develop doctrine of individualism. The concept evolved that the interests of an individual would be best served through the limitation of governmental authority and consequent expansion of personel freedom. To this end political theorists advocated the principles of Natural Justice, law, and Rights, government by consent, limited and responsible government and the idea of revolution and necessary enabling mechanism.
Life and Works:
Locke's father was a lawyer and clerk to justice of peace. He later joined Cromwell's army as Captain. He was a strict being a puritan but enjoyed excellent relationship with his son. At tge age of 15, Locke attended the prestigious Westminster college and studied under renowned scholar of his time Richard Busby. Later on he became lecturer in Greek at Oxford. He tried his hand at study of medicine and considered becoming a clergy but he found more interest in science.
He wrote two treatises on government, first believed to be written in 1689 but now tge research has revealed that it was written in 1681. He left for Holland in 1683 to join his friend Shaftsbury. Locke destroyed great many papers before leaving because he feared persecution at the hands of king JAMESII. In 1689 he returned to england and the new court found after the glorious revolution of 1688 favoured him. They offered him ambassadorship but he declined and accepted a rather modest post of commissioner of appeals. He published his two treatises on government anonymously, and wrote letter on Intoleration and an essay concerning human understanding under his own sign. By 1692, his reputation as a writer was established.
First treatise was written to refute Sir Robert Filmer's book PATRARCH, published in 1880 , advocating Royal prerogatives.
In second treatise he explained two characteristics of state of nature.
I. State of perfect freedom: but it has to be under limits of law of nature.
II. State of Equality: this means that none has more right, authority or jurisdiction than does anyone else. Men are born equal not in capacity but in rights that they possess.
Difference in State of Nature of Hobbes and Locke:
HOBBES; State of equality leads to war.
LOCKE; neither Utopia nor war, rather under natural laws.
Hobbes; Man is driven by animal considerations and bodily comforts.
Locke; Man hears voice of duty too.
Hobbes: man is always uterly selfish and follows animal instincts.
Locke: man is altruistic and loyal and is bound by moral law.
Hobbes: talks about what actually is, Locke talks about what ought to be.
Hobbes: says that abective of man in state of nature was self preservation, whereas Locke says that it was self preservation and preservation of mankind.
Hobbes talks about only Rights of the sovereign whereas Locke talks about both Rights and Duties.
Locke's Concept of Social Contract:
According to Locke the state of nature did not have impartial executive and judiciary. So he advocates for legislature, executive and judiciary. He states that to handle such issues men wanted to make a state. This is the basic difference between Hobbes and Locke. Locke contends that equal men consent to surrender natural liberty; each individual contracts with each to unite and constitute a community.
Hobbes: social contract is irrevocable and is binding on all generations. Locke: social contract is binding upon only generations.
Conclusion:
"The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges everyone: and reason, wchich is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions". Explains Locke while stating about his sate of nature. Locke's social contract is not a bond o slavery, rather it is freedom, as he says nothing was created by God to spoil or destroy. Some critics criticise him for advocating the tyranny of majority.
