10/16/2014
Comparison Between Hobbes And Locke
In the book The Leviathan Thomas Hobbes classifies and defines mechanisms that a society must have, in
order to achieve balance. For Hobbes, the main purpose of a government is to guarantee an original condition
of mankind that all humans are born with. He bases his theory in assumptions about the nature of humanity,
which, in his logic, is grim and negative.
The theory establishes the bases of what every human seeks. Everyman is guaranteed the original condition,
where everyone gets what they want without being concerned about others. Hobbes uses conclusion based on
observations of humanity he has made, which lead to other conclusions: with the bases that humankind was
wired in a form of survival mode.
In Hobbess theory, a man is in constant want of something that is in conflict with anothers wants. As the
resources are limited, Hobbes believes the state of war is inevitable. War is a state of conflict that two forces
find themselves in a competition with selfish endeavors.
The definition of the original condition of mankind that Hobbes explains is that during the time men live
without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war
as is of every man against every man. For war consistent not in battle only, or the act of fighting, but in a tract of
time, wherein the will to contend by battle is sufficiently known. (Hobbes Ch. XII) Men are born equal and
they have the right to take as much as they please, in order to keep their original condition.
He proposes to solve the problem of war by creating laws, because of their need of survival above all. A
solution to avoid chaos and to alleviate the stress between the conflicting wants of others is to establish a
contract, to which people subscribe to, that seeks peace for the majority. Peace, for Hobbes, is a strategy of
maintaining ones individual life, which would lead back to his original condition. Humans must seek an
agreement to be ruled by a power that prevents them from infringing into each others original condition to
obtain peace. Laws are given by the consent of the majority to limit the state of chaos Hobbes pictures having
no rules.
In Two Treatises of Government, John Locke approached the problem of competition in a different way. He
believed in a natural state which was the different from the divine power kings believed in. Locke refutes that
already established right of kings, whom were tracing their bloodline back to Adam, which gave them a divine
right to rule the people. This divine law couldnt be applicable, as there is no way of tracing back the bloodline
that far back in. And even so, God didnt grant Adam any power in any political sense, and yet have that divine
power be hereditary. Locke believed that there is a natural state that humans are born with, no matter what
their bloodline is.
The state of nature is described in Ch.2 of Two Treatises of Government when The state of nature has a law
of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which 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. (Locke Cp.2) Locke relies heavily on observations, believing that men will naturally and
independently develop reason. He argues that mens thoughts on the world make up the rules of the universe.
That they, by logic, understand how everything truly is.
John Lockes Natural state contains the same elements of equality as Hobbes theory has. Locke explains we
must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions,
(Locke Ch.2) explaining how men are all born free. As humans, we are masters of our own destiny is what
Locke and Hobbes agree on.
Lockes state of nature is bound by laws to guarantee societies from coexisting. Because humans use
rationalism, People dont kill or steal from each other, as it would threaten their own lives. If a person commits
a crime the person will then be punished. Humans must protect themselves by not creating a scenario where they
might be harmed (killing or stealing.) If one ruler does not abide to the natural state of men, people have the
power to rebel or criticize the power of the ruler.
Unlike the original condition the natural state is not a state of war. It is instead, mans use of logic to
maintain their individual lives. Everyone has a right to take what he/she need for survival as long as that does
not directly hinder someone elses survival. In Lockes view, Humans may only harm other humans in selfdefense, and may only harm other animals if necessary for survival. Punishment is essential to protect the
natural state. Locke relies on his believe that an action causes an equal and opposite reaction. Hobbes theory
lacks the reasoning that men evolve.
Lockes state of nature and Hobbes Original Condition differ mostly on the pureness of the nature. Hobbes
looks at the negative aspects of societies; he believed people were in constant warfare against each other, in the
competition for resources. And thus, they had rights to survive by obtaining what they needed, even if it meant
hindering into someone elses survival. Locke believes humans to be above such chaotic state, as they have
reason in their advantage.
According to Locke it is not possible to live by the laws of nature without having a state of nature. He explains,
law of nature would, as all other laws that concern men in this world be in vain, if there were no body that in
the state of nature had a power to execute that law, and thereby preserve the innocent and restrain offenders.
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10/16/2014
Comparison Between Hobbes And Locke
Locke is explaining that the laws serve the purpose of leading men to a state of nature. Without the state of
nature, laws would have no great purpose.
The State of nature offers men a law of equality that does not put anyone above or under the law. And if any
one in the state of nature may punish another for any evil he has done, every one may do so: for in that state of
perfect equality, where naturally there is no superiority or jurisdiction of one over another, what any may do in
prosecution of that law, every one must needs have a right to do. Establishing equality of power in the
government is essential to the ideals of Locke. People have the right to criticize the government as well as
defend their natural rights. State of nature is what people fight for and protect when they impose laws.
Without the state of nature, a society would turn to the survival of the fittest. Only those who are born better
adapted to the situation will rise above.
John Stuart Mill wrote on liberty, like Locke and Hobbes, he analyzed the element of a functional society. He
generally agrees that there are rights that every human has explained by Hobbes and Locke.
In order for leaders in a society to serve the people, Mills encouraged freedom of speech. He believed people
should be granted protection for their want to rebel and speak out against the established order. This way, there
is strong communication between the leaders and the people, making the society much more complete, in an
attempt to avoid tyranny. Societies that lack criticism, dont improve the mistakes that the people have to suffer
with. Without freedom of speech, tyrants would have the capacity to do as they pleased.
However, having people speak out, also implies that there will be a majority that rules over the different
minorities. He points out examples, where the majority that followed church, oppressed minorities. The majority
and leaders of a society could easily sway an individual. Furthermore, those in power used status to gain support
from others as if they had special rights.
Mills believed in the importance of unique ideas. A government should give people the liberty to say something
unpopular. He didnt want a government that is reliant to the will of the strongest. By minorities having the
power to speak out, new ideas could flow in a society, which was a way of spreading points of view.
Mills had seen the weakness of opinions, as they emanated from their social group. People are born in their
unique situation, and learn to hate or love the things that their social group influences them to. Not everyone has
a decent education, which makes decisions of individuals less informed and thus, more influenced by the
majority, leaving little space for imagination. Mills explains the magical influence of custom, which is not
only, as the proverb says, a second nature, but is continually mistaken for the first.(Mills Ch.1) Personal
preferences in a society are essentially not personal, as there are other forces that make up ones mind.
Mills also believes That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a
civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.(Mills Ch.1) He believes that the government
should only limit an individual rights when it affects anothers. A simple example is one cannot steal someone
elses property, or intentionally harm a person physically or mentally. The duty of the government then, is to
protect our rights and not to interfere when no harm is being done to others. I can practically destroy myself
with dangerously addictive drugs, as long as others rights arent infringed upon. I can destroy my property, as
long as I dont destroy others property.
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