Thomas hobbes
pure liberty is
dangerous
One of
the earliest and most influential Enlightenment writers
Must prevent government from
corruption
Man is born
naturally free and is good, but society corrupts them
man is
“Man is nasty, brutish, ruthless and evil at his core” Man is bad
People have
a natural right to life, liberty, and property
Divide powers
among different branches
Controls by
a freely formed government are good
Social Contract Theory:
Social Contract Theory: We give up some rights in exchange for peace and security.
If government threatens these rights
, citizens have the right overthrow it
Check the power of
each other
Individuals give up
self-interest for the common good
Absolute monarchy
is the best government
people should
have religious freedom and pursue their ideas
Man is
imperfect self preserving and passionate.
When government is by the consent of the governed
people retain their rights