Locke and Hobbes

1) Do Locke and Hobbes view the “state of nature” in the same manner, and whose view do you view as more accurate?

Hobbes: pg. 206 “Nature hath made men so equal, in the faculties of the body, and mind; as that though there be found one man sometimes manifestly stronger in body, or of quicker mind than another; yet when all is reckoned together, the difference between man, and man, is not so considerable, as that one man can thereupon claim to himself any benefit, to which another may not pretend”

Locke: pg.244 In the section Of the State of Nature, mentions that “the state of nature is also a state of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another; there being nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection.

They have very similar views when it comes to state of Nature and equality. Both men believe that men are born with equal opportunity, they both acknowledge the fact that some individuals my bee seen as stronger or acquire more, but essentially man was born equal. I agree more so with Locke because Locke discusses liberty, equality and freedom for all.

2) Do citizens surrender all their rights to government in Locke’s form of governance?

“Nobody can give more power than he has himself; and he that cannot take away his own life, cannot give another power over it.” (pg.250) No, citizens do not surrender all their rights. In Locke’s form of governance the citizen surrenders some rights, but not all. Citizens are still able to remain sovereign. “The freedom of nature is, to be under no other restraint but the law of nature” (pg. 250)

3) Under what conditions can citizens break the compact in Locke’s view?

The citizen can break the compact when they no longer trust the government and it laws. “When they find the...