Social Contract Theory

State of Nature for John Locke

State of Nature is a state of liberty where persons are free to pursue their own interests and plans, free from interference, and, because of the Law of Nature and the restrictions that it imposes upon persons, it is relatively peaceful.

What is State of Nature

a perfect and complete liberty to conduct one’s life as ones think best sees fit and is free from interference of others. There is no authority or government to punish people for transgressions against laws but it is not a state without morality. State is pre-political but not pre-moral. People are equal and are equally capable of discovering and being bound by the Law of Nature

State of Nature for Thomas Hobbes

complete chaos, without morality, in which people were living like animals, people were free to kill each other without getting punished as it was necessary for the survival

the Law of Nature

basis for morality, given to us by God. People prohibited to harm or kill one another as everyone are creations of God and are rightfullly His and you cannot take what is His.

John Locke

was an English philosopher whose works lie at the foundation of modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism,classical liberalism in particular. Used Hobbes methodogical device of the State of Nature. Locke’s arguments for the social contract, and for the right of citizens to revolt against their king were enormously influential on the democratic revolutions and the founders of the United States. .

Two Treatises on Government of John Locke

Locke’s most important and influential political writings are contained in his Two Treatises on Government. First treatise consisted of Locke refuting Robert Filmers arguments of Divine rights of king in this Patriarcha book. Second treatise contains his own constructive view of the aims and justification for civil government and it is titled “An essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government”

“conjugal society”

state of nature is populated by mothers and fathers with their children, or families. These societies are based on the voluntary agreements to care for children together, and they are moral but not politica

when Political society comes into being for John Locke

Political society begins when individuals, representing their families, leave the State of Nature and consent to give up their power to punish transgressions of the Law of Nature to a government. They submit to the will of the majority and create a body politic governed by laws, judges, and enforcement power, which they lacked in the State of Nature.

Differences between Hobbes and Locke on State of Nature

Locke's view of the State of Nature is relatively peaceful and optimistic, seeing it as a state of liberty, whereas Hobbes views it as chaotic and morally devoid. This fundamental difference informs their perspectives on civil government and the social contract.