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Comparing Thomas Hobbes And John Locke

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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke thought very differently during this time. Thomas Hobbes based his theories on government on his belief that man was basically greedy, selfish, and cruel. John Locke based his theories on his assessment of human nature or God. Locke believed that people could be reasonable and moral. Locke explained that all men have natural rights, which are life, liberty, and property, and that purpose of government was to protect these rights. Locke supported a limited government that protected people’s natural rights. However, Thomas Hobbes had a different belief. Thomas Hobbes believed in Absolute Monarchy as the best form of government during this time period. Hobbes stated that life would be a state of constant warfare without a strong government …show more content…

He thought, people would act on their evil impulses. According to Hobbes, people should not be trusted to make decisions on their own. In addition, Hobbes felt the nations, like people, were selfishly motivated. To Hobbes, each country was in constant battle for power and wealth. John Locke, on the other hand was born on August 29, 1632, in Washington, a village in Somerset, England. John Locke was coined as the father of liberalism. He was one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers and proved to be a great English philosopher and physician. What is more is that he is one of the first empiricists in Britain. He even greatly contributed in the American Declaration of Independence focusing on the classical republicanism and liberal theory. John Locke was able to study in prestigious institution in London named Westminster School. Locke’s ideas on freedom of religion and the rights of citizens were considered a challenge to the King’s authority by the English government, and in 1682 Locke went into exile in Holland. The English government tried to have Locke, along with a group of English revolutionaries with whom he was associated, extradited to

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