Social contract

How did Hobbes describe the state of nature

“Nasty, brutish and short”

Why did ppl agree to a social contract according to Hobbes

For self preservation as humanity is self interested

What authority did Hobbes think was needed for the state of nature

Leviathan - violent state of nature means they need order

What did Locke say abt the state of nature

Humans are intrinsically good

Why did Locke believe we needed a social contract

Natural rights:

• Life and health

• Liberty

• Property

Locke - “Government responsibility”

Government’s obligation to protect our rights, if not they can be overthrown

What did Rousseau say abt the state of nature

Humans are naturally good but corrupted by society

Rousseau - “noble savages”

We are “Nobel savages” with natural sympathy but as society develops we become more competitive and “bloodthirsty”

Why does Rousseau say we need a social contract

To ensure humans didn’t continue to “fall” from nobility and morality we had in the state of nature

Rousseau - “General will”

Only possible if we all agree to act in accordance with the general will and not in pursuit for our own self interest

• what’s good for everyone = good for you

Social contract

The agreement to give up liberty for security