The philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke - Assignment Example

The Philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke The Philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke Philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke hold different opinions on political authority. Locke believes that human beings are born free and equal; nature provides everyone with rights and governments are only formed to protect existing rights. This is different from Hobbes’ assumption that humankind is evil by nature and chaotic if left uncontrolled. Therefore, Hobbes advocates for absolute rule. Judging the two philosophers, the form of political authority that Locke favors is unrealistic.

Hobbes believes that humankind is constantly faced by the threat of mayhem as everyone strives to satisfy their passions. As a result, formation of a government with total power is necessary for men to coexist peacefully. Such a government is formed by people who transfer their liberty for safety. People obey the laws formed by the government, which stands between them and their state of chaos, and they do not have the right to overthrow the government (Ladenburg, 2007).On the contrary, Locke believes that people are born free with rights to dispose their properties.

According to Locke, people form a government to protect their possessions, and they can regain their liberty if the government breaches the law of society. However, following the events that happened in Libya, Locke’s opinion is misguided. After Gaddafi’s fall in Libya, democracy has not yielded much. The country is controlled by armed militias, and the economy is deteriorating. Libya’s state under Gaddafi’s ‘authoritarian’ rule was better than the current ‘democratic’ rule.In conclusion, absolute democracy is unattainable in the presence of many people.

Different people pursue different goals, which are likely to be conflicting, and this throws the society into a state of disorder. Human liberty needs to be controlled for a peaceful and progressive world. ReferenceLadenburg, T. (2007). By What Right. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from Digital History : http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/pdfs/unit1_12.pdf