Hobbes and Locke; a comparison

Summary

This video explores the philosophical similarities and differences between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, two prominent social contract theorists. While both discuss the laws of nature and the state of nature, Hobbes views the natural state as a war-driven necessity for a strong sovereign, whereas Locke sees it as governed by laws, leading to a need for a limited government. The video delves into their contrasting views on the social contract, the transfer of powers, and the type of government each theorist advocates, offering insights into their distinct contributions to political thought.

Takeaways

• 📚 Hobbes and Locke are both social contract theorists who discuss the laws of nature and the state of nature.
• 🔍 Hobbes views the law of nature as a directive to protect oneself and seek peace if possible, but to use war if necessary, while Locke sees it as a guide to not harm oneself or others.
• 🌳 For Hobbes, the state of nature is a state of war, 'nasty, brutish, and short,' necessitating escape for self-preservation. Locke, however, sees it as governed by laws of nature, not a moral void but inconvenient.
• 🤝 Hobbes believes in a single social contract that forms society and creates sovereignty, whereas Locke envisions a two-stage contract: one for community and another for government formation.
• 🏛️ Locke supports a limited government that respects individual rights, in contrast to Hobbes, who argues for absolute sovereignty where the government has unlimited power.
• 🚫 According to Locke, individuals in the state of nature have limited rights due to the laws of nature, which they cannot transfer to the government, unlike Hobbes who believes all rights are transferable.
• ✅ Hobbes uses the social contract to justify obedience to any government, aiming to reconcile Royalists with Cromwell's regime, while Locke uses it to justify the replacement of James II with William and Mary.
• 🔑 The transfer of powers in Hobbes' view is absolute, giving the government the right to do anything, but in Locke's view, it is limited to what is necessary for the protection of life, liberty, and property.
• 🛡️ Locke argues for a government that protects individual rights and property, which aligns with his belief in the state of nature being less harsh and more governed by reason and natural law.
• 🏞️ The differences between Hobbes and Locke reflect their distinct historical contexts and purposes, with Hobbes focusing on stability and Locke on individual liberties and the right to change governments.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video on Hobbes and Locke?

The video focuses on the similarities and differences between the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, particularly their views on the laws of nature, the state of nature, and the social contract.

According to the video, how do both Hobbes and Locke define the laws of nature?

Both Hobbes and Locke believe that reason helps us uncover the laws of nature. For Hobbes, the law of nature is about protecting oneself, seeking peace if possible, and using the advantages of war if peace cannot be found. Locke, on the other hand, interprets the laws of nature as not harming oneself or others, and not infringing on anyone's person, property, or liberty.

What is the state of nature like in Hobbes' view?

In Hobbes' view, the state of nature is described as 'nasty, brutish, and short,' a state of war where it is a moral void and a place of constant fear and danger.

How does Locke's perspective on the state of nature differ from Hobbes'?

Locke sees the state of nature as governed by the laws of nature, not as a moral void. It is inconvenient and not necessarily pleasant, but it is not the constant state of war that Hobbes describes. The state of war for Locke is possible if someone attacks you, but the state of nature itself is not a state of war.

What is the nature of the social contract according to Hobbes?

For Hobbes, the social contract is a single agreement that binds people together as a society and simultaneously creates the sovereignty of the state. It is a one-time event that forms both community and government, and once made, cannot be undone without reverting to the state of nature.

How does Locke's concept of the social contract differ from Hobbes'?

Locke views the social contract as a two-stage process. The first contract forms the political community, and the second allows for the establishment of government based on majority opinion. This means that according to Locke, it is possible to change the form of government without returning to the state of nature.

What are the implications of Hobbes' and Locke's views on the transfer of powers to the government?

Hobbes believes that since we have absolute freedom in the state of nature, we transfer all our rights to the government, giving it the right to do anything. Locke, however, argues that since our actions in the state of nature are limited by the laws of nature, we cannot transfer rights that we never had, leading to a limited form of government.

What type of government does Hobbes advocate for?

Hobbes advocates for an absolute form of government where sovereignty is absolute, and the government has the right to do anything because the people have consented to it and authorized its actions.

What form of government does Locke argue for, and why?

Locke argues for a limited form of government that will not interfere with certain rights, such as liberty, property, and life, because these rights are protected by the laws of nature and were not transferred to the government.

How does the video suggest the historical context influenced Hobbes' and Locke's ideas on the social contract?

The video implies that Hobbes was trying to justify obedience to the government, including Cromwell's regime, while Locke was justifying the removal of James II and the installation of William and Mary, reflecting the different political contexts they were addressing.

What is the key takeaway from the video about the differences between Hobbes and Locke?

The key takeaway is that despite using similar concepts like the laws of nature and the social contract, Hobbes and Locke have fundamentally different views on the extent of government power and the nature of the state of nature, leading to contrasting ideas about the ideal form of government.