Hobbes and Locke - Political Theories

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from political theories explained in the lecture notes regarding Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

State of Nature

A condition where individuals exist without any organized government, leading to a state of war due to constant competition and equality.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a government that provides peace and security in exchange for certain freedoms.

Sovereign

A single authority or leader who possesses absolute power over the governance of a society, established through a social contract.

Natural Law

A body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct, according to Hobbes and Locke.

Civil Law

Laws created by the sovereign to maintain order and protect the public interest in a society.

Despotism

A form of governance where the ruler has absolute power and overreaches their legitimate authority.

General Will

A concept by Rousseau which signifies the collective will of the citizenry aimed at the common good.

Liberty

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life.

Competition, Diffidence, Glory

Three motives described by Hobbes for human behavior that lead to conflict: competition for resources, distrust of others, and the pursuit of honor.

Political Authority

The legitimate power to make laws and governance granted through the consent of the governed.

Revolution

The act of rising up against established governance, considered legitimate when government becomes despotic.

Consent

The agreement of individuals in a social contract to abide by the laws created by the sovereign for mutual benefit.

Civil Society

A society characterized by the collective organization of individuals and groups, outside of the government, based on shared interests and social norms.

Citizen

An individual that is recognized as a member of a state or nation, with rights and responsibilities.

Fear of Death

According to Hobbes, the fundamental reason that drives individuals to seek peace and establish a government.

Bonds of the Commonwealth

The civil laws that define the relationship between the individual and the sovereign, maintaining social order.

Who is Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

A French philosopher and writer who is known for his contributions to political philosophy and education.

What is the 'Social Contract'?

A foundational work by Rousseau that discusses the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual.

What does Rousseau argue about human nature?

Rousseau believed that humans are naturally good but are corrupted by society.

What is the concept of 'General Will'?

In Rousseau's philosophy, it refers to the will of the people as a collective, which should guide the state.

How did Rousseau influence education?

Rousseau emphasized the importance of education being aligned with nature, advocating for learning through experience rather than strict curricula.

Who is John Locke?

An English philosopher known for his work in political theory, particularly on natural rights and government by consent.

What are John Locke's main contributions to political philosophy?

Locke introduced the idea of the social contract, asserting that governments are formed to protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

What is Thomas Hobbes known for?

An English philosopher best known for his work 'Leviathan,' which outlines his views on human nature and the necessity of a strong central authority.

What does Hobbes believe about human nature?

Hobbes believed that humans are inherently selfish and that without government, life would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.'

What is the 'State of Nature' according to Hobbes?

A philosophical concept used by Hobbes to describe a hypothetical situation where there is no government or authority.

How do Locke's and Hobbes' views on government differ?

Locke believed in the social contract as a means of protecting individual rights, while Hobbes viewed a strong authoritative government as necessary to prevent chaos.

What influences did Rousseau have on political thought?

Rousseau influenced modern democratic theory, emphasizing the importance of the collective good and participatory governance.

How does Rousseau's view of the social contract differ from Hobbes' and Locke's?

Rousseau focused on a collective agreement and the 'general will,' while Hobbes supported absolute authority and Locke favored rights protection.

What is John Locke's birth year and place?

John Locke was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, England.

What was John Locke's family background?

Locke was the son of a lawyer and was raised in a middle-class family that valued education.

What is Thomas Hobbes' birth year and place?

Thomas Hobbes was born on April 5, 1588, in Westport, England.

What was Thomas Hobbes' family background?

Hobbes was born to a family of farmers, and his father was a small estate owner.

What is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's birth year and place?

Rousseau was born on June 28, 1712, in Geneva, Switzerland.

What was Rousseau's family background?

Rousseau was born to a watchmaker and had a tumultuous family life, losing his mother shortly after birth.

Who were some of John Locke's mentors?

Locke studied at Oxford under philosophers such as Thomas Willis and Robert Boyle, influencing his empirical approach.

Who were some of Thomas Hobbes' influences?

Hobbes was influenced by Galileo and the scientific revolution, shaping his views on human nature and government.

Who influenced Rousseau's thinking?

Rousseau was influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers and his experiences, particularly the contrast between nature and society.

What were Locke's core beliefs?

Locke believed in natural rights, the social contract, and the importance of consent in governance.

What were Hobbes' core beliefs?

Hobbes believed in the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid chaos and that humans are naturally self-interested.

What were Rousseau's core beliefs?

Rousseau believed in the inherent goodness of humans, the corrupting influence of society, and the concept of the general will.

Compare Locke and Hobbes' views on government.

Locke advocated for a government that secures rights, while Hobbes advocated for a powerful authority to maintain order.

Compare Rousseau's views to those of Locke and Hobbes.

Rousseau emphasized collective good and participatory governance, contrasting with Locke's individual rights and Hobbes' authority.