Comparison of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay

While Hobbes and Rousseau address many of the same issues and topics in both The Leviathan as well as The Discourses, the way that Hobbes and Rousseau look at these issues such as, human nature, the state, and inequality are extremely different from each other. In some cases Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions on these certain ideas are completely contradicting and opposite of each other. While it is tough to say which viewpoint, Hobbes’ or Rousseau’s is correct, one or the other can be considered sounder by their logic and reasoning. The view that Hobbes takes on the matters of human nature, the state, and inequality is sounder and more logical than that of Rousseau. Rousseau believes that humans are not naturally wicked and that in†¦show more content†¦This then lead to some jobs being looked at as more honorable or important than others. From this people began to develop social classes and that eventually leads to oppression and inequality. When you look a t Hobbes’ idea of human nature he says that humans are born with characteristics such as greed. He believes that human are born wanting to better themselves and themselves only while in the state of nature. Because of this characteristic of power and greed, human society depends upon a strong central authority to govern, instill fear and hold together their society. One argument that against Hobbes’ viewpoint, in which he addresses in The Leviathan is that people ask if animals can live together peacefully without a central authority or within the commonwealth then why cant humans. Hobbes refutes this by saying, â€Å"†¦men are continually in competition for honour and dignity, which these creatures are not;† (108). This is basically saying that it is in human nature to want to be better and more honorable than the person next to you. Ants and other animals do not have this characteristic. They simply do the tasks that they are supposed to in order to bene fit the whole â€Å"commonwealth†. Hobbes also goes on to address the fact that each person has the ability to consciously submit to the commonwealth and in return, they are given order and protection.Show MoreRelatedComparison of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay1092 Words   |  5 Pagesrights guided the works of the 17th and 18th century philosophical writings of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Through Thomas Hobbes world-renowned publication Leviathan and Rousseau’s discourses on basic political principals and concepts, each man validated their thoughts on human nature and what is required for a successful society within their respective government confines. The distinct differences between Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions on the natural state of man frame the argument of theRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The State Of Nature1727 Words   |  7 Pagessocieties, is important in determining political societies, or the governmental structures t hat composed these. However, many philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature. In this essay I am going to use the writings of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau to explain how their notions of the State of Nature shape the way they envision political society. These philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature but they all agree that the State of Nature is the reason forRead MoreJohn Locke: Founding Father of Modern Era Liberalism1444 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke are all great thinkers who were greatly influential in forming philosophies that would affect the future of politics. By analyzing each philosopher’s ideology, we can identify which thinker’s theory reflected modern era liberalism the most. For this paper I will be arguing that, John Locke provides a more compelling framework of modern era liberalism because of his perception of the state of nature, the social contract a nd the function of governmentRead MoreThe Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature2003 Words   |  9 PagesINTRODUCTION This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or throughRead MoreHobbes, Locke, And Rousseau s Theory Of Government3619 Words   |  15 Pages Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau: Who Has the Most Scripturally Correct Theory of Government? Katherine Shoemaker GOVT 302-B01 Professor Stephen Witham Liberty University â€Æ' Outline I. John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the three philosophers that have the most developed view of human nature as it applies to government. a. Each of these philosophers has a literary work or works that look at human nature and its application to government. b. We will be examining Locke’s SecondRead MoreRousseau And Hobbes Views On The State Of Nature2565 Words   |  11 Pagesof years. According to philosophers Thomas Hobbes, this discussion reveals the underlying causes as to why we needed to establish political societies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau felt that this discussion was vital to establishing the causes of man’s misery. Rousseau and Hobbes held similar, yet contrasting views on the state of nature. Hobbes, a conservative, who lived during the 17th century, theorized that human nature is naturally violent and competitive. Rousseau, a liberal, who conducted his workRead MoreThe Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature1763 Words   |  8 PagesINTRODUCTION. This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or throughRead MoreThomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay2181 Words   |  9 Pages Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau have very different views on the social contract largely based on their fundamental views of the state of nature in humanity. These basic views of natural human nature cause Hobbes and Rousseau to have views on opposite sides of the spectrum, based on two controversial speculations, that human is inherently good or that human is inherently inclined towards egotism and perpetual insecurity. Due to his belief that they are of this nature, Hobbes viewed an all-powerfulRead MorePolitical Theory: Property1369 Words   |  6 Pagesspeculations about the state of nature and property ownership. However, a comprehensive theoretical exploration of the concept of private property ownership is credited to relatively modern philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. The writings of Locke and Rousseau on property ownership are quite fascinating to compare. Both philosophers portray the early stages of man in what they refer to as the State of Nature. This paper takes a critical look at Rousseau’s conceptualizationRead MoreSocial Contract Theory: Natural Rights and Personhood Within Democracy 1387 Words   |  6 Pagesvirtually inseparable from what most refer to as â€Å"social contract theory,† which is most closely associated with the works of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Social contract theory at its foundation is a theory which espouses that a person’s moral and political obligations are dependent upon an agreement to form the society in which they will live and hold citizenship. Hobbes rejected the view, called the Divine Right of Kings, which stated that a king’s right to rule was invested in him by God. It followed Comparison of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay Human nature and its relevance in determining behaviors, predictions, and conclusions has caused dispute among philosophers throughout the ages. Political philosophy with its emphasis on government legitimacy, justice, laws, and rights guided the works of the 17th and 18th century philosophical writings of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Through Thomas Hobbes world-renowned publication Leviathan and Rousseau’s discourses on basic political principals and concepts, each man validated their thoughts on human nature and what is required for a successful society within their respective government confines. The distinct differences between Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions on the natural state of man frame the argument of the different†¦show more content†¦Centuries of philosophers have attempted to apply reason to why mankind has certain tendencies. Hobbes when discussing human nature often uses beast-like tendencies as a comparison. â€Å"The imagination t hat is raysed in man (or any other creature indued with the faculty of imagining) by words, or other voluntary signes, is that we generally call Understanding; and is common to Man and Beast.† (Hobbes 93) Relating man to beast exemplifies Hobbes position on what he believes is human nature. Furthering his argument that civilization rescues humanity from an otherwise barbaric state. Hobbes view on government stems from these beliefs as well. As explained in Leviathan, government’s ultimate purpose is to control by imposing law and order in order to protect human nature from taking over. In respect to parenting, proper and necessary discipline is required in order to establish order within the household. Hobbes view of man as naturally selfish and constantly occupied with thoughts of how something may benefit them exemplifies his pessimism. His view on the state of nature is why an absolute ruler is necessary for a successful society. Like society a household needs a sol e ruler to head that state otherwise there would be chaos among the children and masses. Children of Thomas Hobbes would undoubtedly be raised conservatively with a ‘head of the household holds all control’Show MoreRelatedComparison of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay980 Words   |  4 Pages While Hobbes and Rousseau address many of the same issues and topics in both The Leviathan as well as The Discourses, the way that Hobbes and Rousseau look at these issues such as, human nature, the state, and inequality are extremely different from each other. In some cases Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions on these certain ideas are completely contradicting and opposite of each other. While it is tough to say which viewpoint, Hobbes’ or Rousseau’s is correct, one or the other can be consideredRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The State Of Nature1727 Words   |  7 Pagessocieties, is important in determining political societies, or the governmental structures that composed these. However, many philosophers have different notions of the State of Nature. In this essay I am going to use the writings of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau to explain how their notions of the State of Nature shape the way they envision political society. These philosophers hav e different notions of the State of Nature but they all agree that the State of Nature is the reason forRead MoreJohn Locke: Founding Father of Modern Era Liberalism1444 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke are all great thinkers who were greatly influential in forming philosophies that would affect the future of politics. By analyzing each philosopher’s ideology, we can identify which thinker’s theory reflected modern era liberalism the most. For this paper I will be arguing that, John Locke provides a more compelling framework of modern era liberalism because of his perception of the state of nature, the social contract and the function of governmentRead MoreThe Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature2003 Words   |  9 PagesINTRODUCTION This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or throughRead MoreHobbes, Locke, And Rousseau s Theory Of Government3619 Words   |  15 Pages Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau: Who Has the Most Scripturally Correct Theory of Government? Katherine Shoemaker GOVT 302-B01 Professor Stephen Witham Liberty University â€Æ' Outline I. John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the three philosophers that have the most developed view of human nature as it applies to government. a. Each of these philosophers has a literary work or works that look at human nature and its application to government. b. We will be examining Locke’s SecondRead MoreRousseau And Hobbes Views On The State Of Nature2565 Words   |  11 Pagesof years. According to philosophers Thomas Hobbes, this discussion reveals the underlying causes as to why we needed to establish political societies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau felt that this discussion was vital to establishing the causes of man’s misery. Rousseau and Hobbes held similar, yet contrasting views on the state of nature. Hobbes, a conservative, who lived during the 17th century, theorized that human nature is naturally violent and competitive. Rousseau, a liberal, who conducted his workRead MoreThe Relationship Between Locke And Rousseau On Human Nature1763 Words   |  8 PagesINTRODUCTION. This essay is aimed at discussing how human nature in Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau impact the way that the role and function of the state is viewed. Human Nature is referred to as the essential and immutable character of all human beings. Others may refer to it as the biological or genetic factor suggesting that there is an established and unchanging human core. It highlights what is innate and natural about human life, as opposed to what human beings have gained from education or throughRead MoreThomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay2181 Words   |  9 Pages Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau have very different views on the social contract largely based on their fundamental views of the state of nature in humanity. These basic views of natural human nature cause Hobbes and Rousseau to have views on opposite sides of the spectrum, based on two controversial speculations, that human is inherently good or that human is inherently inclined towards egotism and perpetual insecurity. Due to his belief that they are of this nature, Hobbes viewed an all-powerfulRead MorePolitical Theory: Property1369 Words   |  6 Pagesspeculations about the state of nature and property ownership. However, a comprehensive theoretical exploration of the concept of private property ownership is credited to relatively modern philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. The writings of Locke and Rousseau on property ownership are quite fascinating to compare. Both philosophers portray the early stages of man in what they refer to as the State of Nature. This paper takes a critical look at Rousseau’s conceptualizationRead MoreSocial Contract Theory: Natural Rights and Personhood Within Democracy 1387 Words   |  6 Pagesvirtually inseparable from what most refer to as â€Å"social contract theory,† which is most closely associated with the works of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Social contract theory at its foundation is a theory which espouses that a person’s moral and political obligations are dependent upon an agreement to form the society in which they will live and hold citizenship. Hobbes rejected the view, called the Divine Right of Kings, which stated that a king’s right to rule was invested in him by God. It followed