Introduction to Philosophy: Human and Society

Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person: Human and Society, Social Contract Theories

• Philosophy of the human person explores fundamental questions about human nature, existence, and purpose. This includes examining the relationship between individuals and society.
• Social contract theories address the origins of society and the legitimacy of government. These theories propose that individuals voluntarily enter into agreements (contracts) to form a society and maintain order. This concept posits that moral and political obligations are dependent on the contracts or agreements among individuals.
• Key figures in social contract theory include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Thomas Hobbes

• Hobbes argued that the state of nature, prior to the formation of society, is a "war of all against all." This is a condition of anarchy, characterized by fear, insecurity, and a constant threat of violence.
• In this state, human beings are driven by self-preservation and insatiable desires, leading to conflict and instability.
• To escape this state of nature, individuals agree to surrender some freedoms and rights to an absolute sovereign. This sovereign power, whether a monarch or an assembly, enforces laws and maintains peace.
• Hobbes believed that an absolute sovereign is essential for the survival and stability of society. Without it, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."
• Hobbes' theory emphasized the importance of order and security over individual liberties.

John Locke

• Locke argued for a different perspective on the state of nature. He believed it was characterized by natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. While not always harmonious, it was not inherently violent.
• Unlike Hobbes, Locke viewed individuals as capable of reason and cooperation. He suggested that individuals possess inherent natural rights that precede the establishment of government.
• Locke believed that the purpose of government is to protect these natural rights, not to control or suppress them.
• He argued that government legitimacy stems from the consent of the governed. If a government fails to protect these rights, the people have a right to alter or abolish it.
• Locke's theory emphasizes individual rights and the limited role of government.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Rousseau emphasized the importance of the general will in the formation of society. He differed from both Hobbes and Locke on the nature of the state of nature, seeing it as more cooperative and egalitarian.
• He argued that establishing a social contract, based on the general will, is fundamental to societal well-being. The general will represents the collective good of the community, encompassing the will of all citizens.
• Rousseau believed that individuals must surrender some freedom for the sake of the common good. By participating in the general will, citizens effectively make laws for themselves and thereby preserve their freedoms.
• Rousseau's concern was less about security and more about freedom being realized through participation in the social contract. He believed that participation in the general will fostered virtuous citizenship.

Comparative Analysis of Social Contract Theories

• Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau each offer unique perspectives on the relationship between individuals and society.
• Hobbes stressed order and security as paramount, advocating for an absolute sovereign. Locke prioritised natural rights and limited government. Rousseau focused on the general will and active participation of citizens in the social contract.
• These theories have profoundly influenced political philosophy and continue to be debated today. Modern political thought continues to adapt and build upon these fundamental ideas. Discussions on democracy, civil liberties, and the role of government frequently invoke these earlier concepts.

Recognize how individuals form societies and how individuals are transformed by societies; Compare different forms of societies and individualities (eg. Agrarian, industrial and virtual); Explain how human relations are transformed by social systems.