Thomas Hobbes And John Locke - 1348 Words

As a result of the 17th century English Revolution, a radically changing government led English writers, philosophers, and politicians to expand upon the notion of human nature, based on their own beliefs and experiences. Two of these renowned English thinkers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, embodied the rising movement of using reason to make judgments on government, society, and the role of the king. Despite approaching the question of human nature with similar foundations, The State of Equality, Hobbes and Locke develop entirely opposing arguments, reflected in their position supporting and opposing an absolute monarch, respectively. Many of the most notable distinctions between Hobbes’ and Locke’s philosophies, namely concerning†¦show more content†¦Hobbes observed that, while one man may hold an advantage in one area of his life, the next man will be better suited in another. In this way, all men are equal when looking at his existence in it’s entire ty. Similarly, Locke describes that in the state of nature, men are â€Å"all equal and independent†¦ for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker† (3). Although their reasoning is distinctive, the argument of equality is consistent. Additionally, both Hobbes and Locke speak to the dangers of the state of nature. Hobbes claims that, arising from this equality in â€Å"ability†, there is an equality of hoping to attain similar items, â€Å"and therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies† (1). According to Hobbes, as long as man is in a state of nature, he is in a state of war. Likewise, Locke speaks to dangers in that, â€Å"if any one in the state of nature may punish another for any evil he had done, every one may do so†¦. And this in the state of nature on man comes by a power over another† (4). This, Locke claims, leads to a state of war. All in all,