Introduction to Political Philosophy: Hobbes vs. Locke

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, philosophical definitions, and key historical figures from the lecture on Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.

State of Nature

A theoretical condition defined in political philosophy as life without government.

Thomas Hobbes

An English philosopher who lived during the English Civil War and stated that life in the state of nature is nasty, poor, brutish, and short.

Common Peace and Safety

The primary obligation that Thomas Hobbes believed government is responsible for safeguarding in exchange for individuals giving up their rights.

John Locke

An English philosopher who described the state of nature as a state of equality and freedom governed by reason, whose ideas heavily inspired the American founding fathers.

Social Contract

The bargain where individuals come together to form a government, giving up certain rights in exchange for protection and security.

Life, Liberty, and Property

The three fundamental items that John Locke argued individuals join society to preserve through the establishment of government.

Pursuit of Happiness

The phrase substituted for 'property' by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence to refer to the pursuit of economic wealth or prosperity.

State of War (Locke's Definition)

The condition created when legislators or a government overstep their bounds to destroy or take away the lives, liberties, and property of the people.

Declaration of Independence

The document authored by Thomas Jefferson that drew inspiration from John Locke's philosophy to justify why Americans needed to rise up against British rule.