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The Enlightenment: Hobbes & Locke. What are the major differences between Hobbes & Locke?. There were many “ dark times” in world history prior to the Enlightenment Crusades & Church Abuses Absolute Monarchs Atlantic Slave Trade Conquest of Mexico
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The Enlightenment:Hobbes & Locke What are the major differences between Hobbes & Locke?
There were many “dark times” in world history prior to the Enlightenment • Crusades & Church Abuses • Absolute Monarchs • Atlantic Slave Trade • Conquest of Mexico • 1600s: people’s thinking began to change. This is known as the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason & power of individual Thomas Hobbes • 1588-1679, born in England • Believed in a Social Contract between people & ruler • Wrote Leviathan (1651) • Influence: secularism
Hobbes concluded that religion & divine right were the cause of conflict and that people were naturally selfish and wicked • Hobbes felt people need a secular government with a strong ruler whose authority comes from the people, not divine right • Hobbes’ Social Contract states people will exchange some of their rights to receive protection from the ruler • Reflect/Discuss: Why do you agree or disagree with this theory and how does it influence the west today? John Locke • 1632-1704, born in England • Believed in Natural Rights • Wrote Two Treatises of Government • Influences: US Declaration of Independence & American Revolution
Locke criticized absolutism & promoted self-government • Locke says people are born free & equal with three natural rights: life, liberty, and property (what is in nature is good) • The purpose of government is to protect these rights • Locke argues that if a govt fails to do this, then the people should overthrow the govt • Locke influenced Thomas Jefferson, American colonists & other countries who would revolt against their govts • Reflect/Discuss: Do you agree with John Locke’s theory, why/why not? How does this influence the west today?