Comparing Ideologies: Locke Rousseau Hobbes

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Comparing Ideologies Human Nature Although linked by the same discussion, each philosopher represented his own distinct Ideology. The debate of man’s innate logical character, is philosophy’s bloodiest battleground. The article offers a basic perception of the ideologies pertaining to renowned philosophers; (Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke) Hobbes represents the cynical, dark view of human nature. Hobbes suggests humans are born with both passions and reason; our passions cause war and conflict, and our desire for better life persuades us to seek peace. He feels that our instinctive character is to be selfish, only caring of those pertaining to us. The savage man was not an animal, but rather had beast-like qualities, creating a world of violence and constant war. Locke had a very different ideology on the nature of man. In my opinion, Locke views man through rose-colored glasses, Locke suggests humans naturally follow the moral law, (which can be discovered by reason) he also states that forms of government and society are natural to us, and that war and conflict that ravage our world, occur simply for the reason that we were fighting for what we believe in, and each side believes they`re just. Rousseau suggests that humans were simple; without speech, culture and mature thought prior to our social and cultural development. He proposes his theory that we were neither moral nor vicious, and that our greed, war, and even love for another, are results of the complexities of modern man and hence not present before the formation of society. The Purpose of Government Hobbes perception of early man, suggests a governing force is nessecary to stray man from his instinctive selfish nature. Hobbes suggests our governments be backed with force, for the reason “...since agreements without the sword are but words...” and that government is only formed
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