Social Contract Theory and Thomas Hobbes

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Questions and Answers

What drives man's impulses in the state of nature according to Hobbes?

Egoism and the pursuit of pleasure (correct)
A need for community and cooperation
A desire for social harmony
A fascination with nature

How does Hobbes describe the state of nature?

A state of war with constant fear (correct)
A period of prosperity and abundance
A peaceful existence without conflict
An era of collaborative survival

What is established when men enter into a covenant according to Hobbes?

An agreement to remain isolated
A society based on personal gain
A common power or sovereign (correct)
A state of competition

According to Hobbes, what is the ultimate end of man's desire for power?

Satisfying appetites for pleasure (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Hobbes believe the covenant creates?

The great LEVIATHAN (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Locke, how does reason influence man's nature?

It determines his ability to understand the law of nature. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What key factor motivates men to abandon the state of nature?

The insecurity of life and need for commodities (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Locke consider a disadvantage of the state of nature?

It leads to the absence of permanent security. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Hobbes characterize the equality of men in the state of nature?

Men are equal in body and mind faculties (A) Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion does Hobbes arrive at regarding man's life in the state of nature?

It is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short (C) Signup and view all the answers

What symbolizes rights in general according to Locke?

Life, liberty, and estate (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Hobbes view the state of nature?

As a state of war and conflict (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the desired outcome of entering a political union, according to Hobbes?

To establish safety and order (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role does Locke attribute to individuals in the state of nature?

All individuals serve as judges of their own actions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Locke believe about the conditions of life in the state of nature?

They foster peace and mutual assistance. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the state of nature, according to Locke?

A social condition without government. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Rousseau argue about the state of nature?

It is characterized by pure happiness and moral virtue. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Rousseau, what is the source of legitimate authority?

Conventions and collective agreements. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Rousseau describe man in the state of nature?

Noble and guided by instinct. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Rousseau claim about the relationship between mental and physical inequality?

It does not operate against anyone. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does Rousseau mean by the term 'noble savage'?

A primitive man who is innocent and untainted by society. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of social institutions according to Rousseau?

They create inequality among individuals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Rousseau view the law in relation to man in the state of nature?

Man in the state of nature is not subject to law. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What obligation does Rousseau suggest the minority has in society?

To submit to the majority. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason men unite into a political society according to Locke?

To preserve their rights of life and property (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a man's natural right when a political society is formed?

He surrenders it to become part of the community (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Locke, what is required for political power to come into being?

The formation of a community of reasonable men (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a civil society according to Locke?

A body with established law and authority to resolve disputes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'standing rule to live by' as described by Locke?

The law created by the legislative power in the society (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Locke say about the limits of government power?

It is limited to the preservation of individual rights (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a government fails to protect individual rights, what does Locke advocate?

The people are justified in using force to remove it (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Locke imply about the transition from the state of nature to political society?

It is a smooth transition since man is already social (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The theory suggests that states evolved from a deliberate agreement between individuals
This agreement transitioned individuals from a pre-social state of nature to a civil society
It acknowledges the existence of a state of nature governed by natural law
The state of nature is a state of war where individuals are driven by self-preservation and a constant desire for power

Thomas Hobbes

He portrays individuals as inherently egoistic and driven by a constant desire for power
This desire compels them to view others as rivals, leading to a conflict-ridden state of nature
The state of nature is devoid of authority and characterized by fear, insecurity, and a constant threat of violence
Hobbes' pessimistic view leads him to argue that individuals enter into a social contract to escape this bleak state of nature and seek collective protection under a sovereign authority
This sovereign power, established by agreement, suppresses individual wills and unites a multitude into a single political body
The sovereign entity is crucial to maintaining order and ensuring the protection of individuals from the constant threat of violence

John Locke

Locke's understanding of human nature is more optimistic, emphasizing reason and individuals' ability to comprehend the law of nature
Locke believes that the state of nature is not inherently chaotic but governed by natural law and reason
In the state of nature, individuals possess natural rights, including life, liberty, and property
This state of nature is considered a social condition where individuals are naturally cooperative
The inconveniences of the state of nature, such as the lack of an impartial judge, motivate individuals to form a political union to secure their rights
Political power is established through consent, granting the government limited authority to protect individual rights
Locke emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and the right to overthrow tyrannical governments that fail to protect their rights

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau's view on the state of nature explores the origin of inequality
He argues that inequality arises from social institutions and emphasizes the natural goodness of individuals in a state of nature
Rousseau's natural man is free, simple, and guided by instincts, living in a state of primitive innocence
He contrasts the primitive state with the artificiality and corruption of civilized society
The social contract establishes a new political society, founded on a compact between individuals and providing a foundation for legitimate authority
This social contract creates a unified body with public property and obliges the minority to abide by the majority's decisions

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Description

Explore the intricate concepts of Social Contract Theory as proposed by Thomas Hobbes, examining the transition from a state of nature to a civil society. Understand Hobbes' views on human nature, the inherent desire for power, and the necessity of a sovereign authority to maintain peace and security.