Thomas Hobbes And John Locke s Theory Of Social Contract...

In this essay, I argue contemporary social contract theory extends itself beyond politics and into philosophy, religion, and literature. I begin by defining social contract theory and explaining the different perspectives of English philosophers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. From there, I will introduce Dostoyevsky’s work, Grand Inquisitor, and conduct an analysis of the relationships between the Grand Inquisitor and his subjects as well as Jesus and his followers. Using textual evidence and uncontroversial interpretations of the authors’ works, I will draw parallels between the Grand Inquisitor’s relationship with his subjects to Thomas Hobbes’ vision of social contract theory. Similarly, I will draw parallels between Jesus’ relationship†¦show more content†¦These varying â€Å"states of nature† inspired philosophers to develop warrant-based claims about the limiting or broad scope of such a social contract. As explained by Thomas Hobbes, in Leviathan, the Social Contract is derived from an original condition of war. Hobbes writes, â€Å"The condition of man (as hath been declared in the precedent chapter) is a condition of war of every one against every one, in which case everyone is governed by his own reason†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Leviathan, XIV, p. 80). From this, we understand that, according to Hobbes, man is not a social animal when prompted with a boundlessly free society. With this claim, Hobbes counters Aristotle (see Politics), arguing instead for a perpetual societal condition of war. The need to control the evil, malicious, and irrational masses becomes the major theme for Leviathan; a goal of which Hobbes accomplishes through the advocacy of absolute monarchy and social contracts. Contrarily, John Locke presents a more positive worldview concerning the natural human condition and social contract theory. In his work Second Treatise of Government, Locke writes, â€Å"Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions† (Second Treatise of Government, II). Here, Locke establishes that people in their natural state (â€Å"all equal and independent†) shall refrain from interfering with another individuals’ natural rights (life,Show MoreRelatedThomas Hobbes And John Locke1346 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Contracts Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two English political philosophers, who have had a lasting impact on modern political science. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both spent much of their lives attempting to identify the best form of government. Locke and Hobbes were among the most prominent of theorists when it came to social contract and human rights. A Social Contract is an agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, areRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes1287 Words   |  6 Pageshumankind and their rights. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were both political philosophers who developed theories about how the government should work. They set up their theories around The Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. Although John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had a similar goal, their beliefs and opinions were definitely not the same. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both believed in the Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. They both developed and worked their theories and philosophies aroundRead MoreThe Social Contract Theories Of Thomas Hobbes And John Locke1210 Words   |  5 PagesMahogany Mills Professor: Dr. Arnold Political Philosophy 4 February 2015 Compare and contrast the social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke In the beginning of time, there was no government to regulate man. 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Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s). TheRead MoreSocial Contract Theory On The Origin Of State1110 Words   |  5 PagesSOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY Introduction: The social contract theory is one of the oldest theories on the origin of state. This theory came into existence as a reaction against the divine origin theory. The term ‘social’ is something which is connected with the society, while ‘contract’ means an agreement between two or more people. Thus a term of political theory, ‘social contract’ implies an agreement that makes society possible .this theory holds that the state is the voluntary and deliberate agreementRead MoreThe Function of a Social Contract1676 Words   |  7 PagesFunction of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s). The basicRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1659 Words   |  7 Pagesto by a majority. The following pages show how modern social contract theory especially that of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, grew into the divisive issue it is in contemporary political philosophy. Modern social contract theory can trace its roots to prominent thinkers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. It is their thoughts on social contracts that lie at the center of the many spheres we are a part of. For Hobbes and Locke, social contract theory sought to analyze the relationship between rulers andRead MoreThe Social Contract Theory Since The United States1449 Words   |  6 PagesFor this discussion, I am keen to discuss the Social Contract theory since I see this fundamental theory still directly affects today s politics in the United States as well as around the world. Contemporary study of neoliberalism and neo-conservatism as in the analysis of Wendy Brown (2006) or of political deliberation and deliberative democracy in the writing of Simone Chambers (2009) is a dynamic consequences of that basic concepts of democracy from the past. During its development, democracyRead MoreThe American Constitution And The Bill Of Rights1463 Words   |  6 Pagesand thoughts of the philosophes, specifically John Locke. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both English philosophers,influential thinkers of the seventeenth century, both had confidence in a Social Contract and they both distributed books that were generally perused. Thomas Hobbes talked about and built up the social contract hypothesis through his book Leviathan. The social contract hypothesis was later bolstered and translated encourage by John Locke. This hypothesis which was essential to the