...Social Contract Theory of John Locke Shannon Roundtree June 23, 2014 Patricia DeAngelis Differences of the Social Contract Theories There were three critical thinkers who played a major role in creating the concept of the social contract theory. The overall concept of this theory was to see how individuals could survive in a world regulated by laws and government. Each of these individuals had different perspectives on the state of nature. Thomas Hobbes’ view was that man was fearful and selfish. He believed that man desired a sense of security and order. If man wanted to have a sense of self-preservation and protection, they needed to enter into a social contract and surrender their rights and freedom. In other words, a government was created to regulate their lives. Thomas Hobbes also believed that individuals were free to take whatever they wanted and be greedy, and resolve disputes with war. John Locke’s view was different than Thomas Hobbes as he believed no individual has any power over the next and everyone has the freedom to do what they want. John Locke also believed that if an individual committed a crime, they needed to be punished. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that the government should adhere to the freedom of all individuals, but with constraints. His views were that individuals could not be free in modern society like they could be in a state of nature if property and laws existed. Key Principles of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory John Locke viewed...
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...Benjamin Mrs. Sauter History/ Block F 12/7/14 A Comparison of Social Contracts A social contract is a distinctive agreement among the members of a society to cooperate with one another to gain social benefits. There have been many social philosophers throughout history who have written about their opinion on how society should function within a successful government. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who believed that the human race was corrupted from birth and that they were cruel, greedy and selfish. He also believed that people will fight, steal, and torment each other. He further believes that people must be ruled by an absolute monarchy and the surrounding governments must grant all power to the king. Another English philosopher,...
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...The theory of social agreement paper 544 2/22/2016 Melba V. Pearson The theory of social agreement paper In my paper, I will discuss John Locke social contract theory, which it will assist on how his principles are even within the criminal justice system. In private security, issues were currently happening. In this paper as well will discuss in-depth information debate if John Locke’s central beliefs also morals relate to the criminal justice also private security location. A summary will do to help identify main dissimilarities of the social contract theories, also, recognize main any principles related to Locke’s social contract theory. Then label how these how the codes infused in the bill of right within the United States. Then recognize how these principles saw with the criminal justice also security organizations of a present, as well finally describe independence concerning personal rights also proper principles also the obligation. Variations of the social contract theories In the social contract theory, there were three important theorists, which portrayed an essential part in developing the idea for it. The whole idea of the theory was to assist how people would exist; within society that controlled by the government also, it laws. All of these theorists have a various form of concepts of the state of nature one, of the theorist's name Thomas Hobbies. He believed that people were egotistical. They were frightened Hobbies felt...
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...| John Locke | The father of modern liberalism | | Cole Davis | 5/20/2012 | | Liberalism, a political ideology based on the belief that constant progress is achievable, the human race is composed of intrinsically good beings, and that these intrinsically good beings are and should be autonomous in nature, is an idea that made an incredible resurgence during the English enlightenment. As the belief of Liberalism gained popularity with the public it also developed an enormous following among European philosophers. John Locke, the individual responsible for the idea of natural rights as well as the social compact, helped mold this idea of Liberalism into its own unique philosophical tradition. Because of these great contributions, John Locke is considered as father of modern liberalism. Born August 29, 1632 at Wrington in Somerset, John Locke was the son of a lawyer and the oldest child of his Puritan household (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). While Locke was a child, his father closely monitored and guided his education. An incredibly educated individual, Locke first received a formal education at Westminster School eventually graduating to Christ Church, Oxford (Collinson). After receiving his bachelors of arts in 1656, Locke stayed at Oxford to earn his master’s degree. Locke became the censor of moral philosophy in 1664 and in 1675 when the Earl of Shaftesbury fell from power; Locke exiled himself to France to restore his health (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). After four...
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...The Social Contract Theory of John Locke Paper University of phoenix Finance and Budgeting in Justice and Security AJS/532 Matthew O’Deane November 20, 2013 The Social Contract Theory of John Locke Paper My paper evaluates the Social Contract Theory of John Locke, and how his principles are even within the criminal justice system, and private security situations nowadays. This paper shall also in great detail debate whether or not Locke’s’ values and beliefs pertain to criminal justice as well as private security venues. A summary will be presented to identify key dissimilarities of the social contract theories, recognize key any principles connected with Locke’s social contract theory, label how these codes are instilled within the United States Bill of Rights, recognize how these principles show within the criminal justice system and security organizations of present, and lastly define independence in regards to personal rights and proper principles, and commitments. “A social contract is a voluntary agreement in which mutual benefit occurs between and for individuals, groups, government or a community as a whole. According to Locke, the State of Nature, the natural condition of mankind, is a state of perfect and complete liberty to conduct one's life as one best sees fit, free from the interference of others (Kelly, Martin. (2012)).” This doesn’t mean that it is a state of authorization: a citizen isn’t...
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...John Locke, Thomas More, and Thomas Hobbes were all political philosophers of their time. Thomas More, would be the least of a philosopher out of the three. Thomas More, a respected statesmen and prominent political figure and advisor to Henry VIII, was best known for authoring Utopia which depicts the social, religious, and political customs of a fictional island and attempts to define an ideal society. More’s Utopia portrays a humanist ideal world, where there is freedom and harmony between individuals and Sovereign themselves. The difficulty with Utopia is that it does not consider actual human behavior patterns. A society can accept the idea of perfect society, there is no need for “thank you” or “I’m sorry” in a society that runs on perfection and generosity runs like a spectacular waterfall. The problem is that Utopia wouldn’t work, a society would become susceptible to negative behavior, once one individual abuses the generosity of others, others will see the advantage and start to follow...
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...Do you generally believe people are good? If you trust your fellow man so much, then why do you lock your door? This is a form of the question, the great philosopher, Thomas Hobbes would propose to people who believe that the general human state of nature is good. Thomas Hobbes had a pessimistic view of human nature, similar to John Calvin. Hobbes believed that the rapacious nature of man was for everyone to be at war with everyone. By competing in each person’s own self interest, which led to life being poor, solitary, and brutish until the formation of government. In the state of nature, this enables others to be able to come and take that away from you. This is the intersection where Thomas Hobbes and another great philosopher, John Locke, agree. They both believe that a source of social contract is necessary in order to get along in the state of nature. Although Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both developed the social contract theory, a closer examination of each fundamental philosophy reveals a greater contrast in theory than most fail to realize such as the contrast in origins of government, limitations of government, dwellings of sovereignty, and the rights of revolution. The social contract theory was developed by multiple influential thinkers of political philosophy. One of those men was Thomas Hobbes, who lived during the English Civil War. During this war, he witnessed the collapse of absolute government and therefore influenced his theory that having absolute government is the only way...
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...Social Contract Theory on the Criminal Justice System and Private Security Philosophy Foundations of Ethics in Justice and Security Social Contract Theory on the Criminal Justice System and Private Security Prior to the social contract theory, there was no government body providing laws, order, and protection. Humans were left to protect their own lives and property. When problems ensued between individuals, evolution occurred, and the strongest usually survived. From this, the social contract theory emerged, which required a group of individuals to give up their individual rights to govern themselves, and comply to a selected government authority. This government represents the group’s interests and forms and civil society that provide protection of life and property (Souryal, 2007). This paper will summarize the different social contract theories, focus on John Locke’s social contract theory principles, and discuss how these principles influenced the Bill of Rights. Additionally, this paper will search how these principles are present in the criminal justice system and private security settings. Lastly, the paper will describe freedom of personal rights and ethical standards and obligations. Social Contract Theories There are many different versions of the social contract theory. Thomas Hobbes' social contract theory defines state of nature as a condition of self-absorbed human...
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...himself. The labour of his body, and the work of his hands, we may say, are properly his. Whatsoever then he removes out of the state that nature hath provided, and left it in, he hath mixed his labour with, and joined to it something that is his own, and thereby makes it his property,” (Locke Sec. 27 Pg. 504). While natural rights are apart of private property, they are no longer a part of nature once they become such. It is ironic that Locke states that property rights do exist in nature but is not a result of the social contract, which brings man out of nature and into ordered society. This proves that Locke is struggling to uphold his initial argument. Locke's view on property, implies that property has a higher priority over society. Yes, society is important but property is approved by heavenly power. His very argument for private property as a natural right, weakens his statement by highlighting a weakness in his state of nature. This makes John Locke's views seem hypocritical because it idealizes personal liberty, but in a way slavery becomes morally acceptable even though he thinks property is an extension of human labor. Moreover, property is a part of universal human rights, so this theory it is essentially...
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...John Locke The Unofficial Founder of America John Locke is one of the most important, but largely unknown names in American history. A well renowned English philosopher, educator, government official, and theologian. The Impact of John Lock’s theses had on the Revolutionary war and the subsequent founding of the United States, is apparent to most who study his writings. Arguably Locke’s most influential work is his Second Treatise of Government. His argument was that government should be built on a mutual agreement (contract theory) and when consent of the governed is loss, or when the natural rights and liberties are violated, it is the right of the people to rise up and replace the current government. This theory can easily be seen in the Deceleration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Locke’s arguments for...
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...During the Enlightenment, European government began to recognize that politics was greatly affected by the power of public opinion. It was the influence of this time that helped lay the foundations of the modern world in equality and democracy. Historically, governments have relied heavily on the writings of philosophers. As a British political theorist and philosopher, John Locke was one of the most influential thinkers of his time. He witnessed trials in government which led him to believe that people had a right to rebel against an unjust ruler. Two years later, in 1689, Locke published his ideas in the Two Treatises on Government which became the basis for many modern political ideas, but he never publically acknowledge it. Long after his death, Locke’s...
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...is the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence has many similar ideas on the government and its relations with it citizens from John Locke’s Social Contract. One similarity both documents share is the mention of unalienable rights, god given rights that cannot be taken away. The Social Contract states “we retain the right to life and liberty, and gain the right to just, impartial protection of property.” and while the Declaration of Independence is very similar with it inalienable rights, the exact quote is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”. The difference within these sets of our inalienable rights is most likely due to the time period in which each document was created. John Locke wrote the Social...
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...John Locke and Thomas Hobbes developed their political theories at a time of political, religious and social upheaval in England. Both Locke and Hobbes shared the enlightenment view of the world. Their scientific understanding of cause and effect shaped their views not just of physical objects and how they interacted, but also of people and how they interacted in society. Both men wrote their own theories of Social Contract; they share several similarities, but differ in the responsibilities and rights of the State. According to Hobbes, prior to the Social Contract, man lived in the State of Nature. Man lived in a chaotic condition of selfishness and constant fear. Man has a desire for order and security, so man entered into a contract to...
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...Christy Murphy WHO 1030 11:00 – 11:50 Case Study #1 John Locke John Locke was more than just an ordinary man. He was the son of a country attorney and born on August 29, 1632. He grew up during the civil war and later entered the Church of Christ and remained there as a student and teacher for many years. With a wide variety of political and religious views, John expressed most of his personnel views on education, social, political and philosophies. Many of John’s views both political and religious were found to be famous though-out history in many countries. Locke was one of the first people who thought religion and state should be separated. Locke published anonymously the “Two Treaties of Government” and an essay “Concerning Human Understanding.” These writings were immediately successful and both influenced Rousseau and Voltaire along with many other scholars. John Locke’s Two Treatise of Government is a well-known and respected document. In the paper, John attacked the theory of the divine right of kings and maintained that all men are free and equal in the state of nature to posses certain rights. He did not believe that a king should become king because “God told him to,” but rather he was qualified for the position and the people felt he should be there. Locke argued that sovereignty did not reside in the state, but with the people and that, the state is supreme, but only if civil and “natural” law binds it. The task and duty of the government...
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...John Locke's Contributions John Locke's contributions to the enlightenment had a great deal to do with the inspiration of America today. He was a philosopher who developed the philosophy that there were no legitimate government under the rights of kings theory. The king's theory is that god chooses the rulers and when the ruler is being challenged you are challenging god. Locke didn't think this was right so he wrote his own theory to challenge it. One idea in his theory was the power to be a governor to be granted by the people, maybe through voting. This is the basic formula for the political philosophy of liberalism- Locke's philosophy. Locke speaks of a state of nature where men are free, equal, and independent. He champions the social contract and government by consent. He goes even farther than Hobbes in arguing that the government must respect the rights of individuals. It was Locke's formula for limited government, more than Hobbes's, that inspired the Amercian Founding Fathers. The Founding Fathers, in the Declaration of Independence, speak of both natural laws and natural rights. Locke does likewise. Natural right and natural law may be combined, but if they are, one must take precedence over the other. Either the individual's right, or his duty to moral law, must come first. Equality is the driving force of Locke's political theory because it is the basis for our consensual participation in society, a requisite...
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