Enlightenment Philosophers Legacies in a New Nation Hobbes
Enlightenment Philosophers Legacies in a New Nation
Hobbes 1588 -1679
Quote from Thomas Hobbs (thinkpair-share) “Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man. For war consisteth not in battle only, or the act of fighting, but in a tract of time, wherein the will to contend by battle is sufficiently known: and therefore the notion of time is to be considered in the nature of war, as it is in the nature of weather. For as the nature of foul weather lieth not in a shower or two of rain, but in an inclination thereto of many days together: so the nature of war consisteth not in actual fighting, but in the known disposition thereto during all the time there is no assurance to the contrary. All other time is peace. ”
Hobbes Most famous work was called “Leviathan”, published 1651 - Title refers to the kind of government he thought necessary: One possessing tremendous power Basic ideas on government and humans: - People are inherently evil - In a “state of nature”, people would be engaged in unending conflict with each other - A strong centralized government is needed to control humans - Abuses of power by this government are the price for a relatively peaceful existence
Locke 1632 -1704
John Locke on the State of Nature And thus, in the state of nature, one man comes by a power over another; but yet no absolute or arbitrary power, to use a criminal, when he has got him in his hands, according to the passionate heats, or boundless extravagancy of his own will; but only to retribute to him, so far as calm reason and conscience dictate, what is proportionate to his transgression, which is so much as may serve for reparation and restraint: for these two are the only reasons, why one man may lawfully do harm to another, which is that we call punishment. In transgressing the law of nature, the offender declares himself to live by another rule than that of reason and common equity, which is that measure God has set to the actions of men, for their mutual security; and so he becomes dangerous to mankind, the tye, which is to secure them from injury and violence, being slighted and broken by him. Which being a trespass against the whole species, and the peace and safety of it, provided for by the law of nature, every man upon this score, by the right he hath to preserve mankind in general, may restrain, or where it is necessary, destroy things noxious to them, and so may bring such evil on any one, who hath transgressed that law, as may make him repent the doing of it, and thereby deter him, and by his example others, from doing the like mischief. And in the case, and upon this ground, EVERY MAN HATH A RIGHT TO PUNISH THE OFFENDER, AND BE EXECUTIONER OF THE LAW OF NATURE
Locke His most influential works were probably his “Two Treatises on Government”, published 1689 Believed that humans were born a “Tabula Rasa” - a blank slate - People overall more good than bad Natural rights that all men have a right to defend - “life, health, liberty, or possessions”
Locke Government by consent of the governed - If government is not adequately serving the needs of the people then revolution is an obligation Supporter of mercantilism Saw no problem with socioeconomic inequalities Supporter of the slave trade To claim land as property it must have been “improved” by your labor
Rousseau 1712 -1778
Rousseau Most famous political works were “Discourse on the Origin of Inequality”, published 1755, and “On the Social Contract”, published 1762 Believed that human civilization itself was the source of societal problems - people were better off in the state of nature - gave small scale indigenous societies a utopian quality - However, he acknowledged that returning to the state of nature was not a viable option - The original social contract was a trick created by the rich and powerful Believed that compassion was innate but morality was a societal construction (disagreed with both Hobbes and Locke)
Rousseau Continued Focused on the importance of “the general will” and “sovereignty” (the power to make laws) as entirely democratic - Did not support the idea of a representative assembly because he favored direct democracy - Did not want a large central government Ideas were important in French revolution and reflected in America Personal property must not be claimed by any others, must be based on need, and must be utilized
Summary Hobbes Locke Rousseau State of Nature Humans are evil Humans are a blank slate Humans are inherently peaceful Representative Assembly Maybe Yes No Direct Democracy No Maybe Necessary Personal Property No Where labor Based on first affects the fruits occupation, need, of nature and use Purpose of the Social Contract (Government) To protect people To protect from themselves people from abuses of power To enforce the General Will Consent of the Governed No Yes Inequality Yes No
Montesquieu 1689 -1755
Montesquieu Most famous work was “Spirit of the Laws”, published 1748 - Reviled in France and added to the Index of Prohibited Books by the Catholic Church - Highly respected in Britain and the 13 colonies - Laid out 3 Branches of Govt. and Separation of Powers - Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches - Extremely influential for in Europe and America
Montesquieu No problem with monarchies, hereditary inheritance of power, or primogeniture Anti-slavery Misogynistic by modern standards but not for the time
Classical Economics Centered on the importance of the free-market and the ability of the free market to regulate itself. Everyone acting for personal profit makes the system efficient Recessions can happen but before long supply and demand should balance
Adam Smith Wrote The Wealth of Nations Against Mercantilism Original Champion of the free-market - Thought there should be little or no government control - People acting in self interest is what drives the economy
David Ricardo Labor Theory of Value Law of Comparative Advantage Not necessarily against some government intervention Iron Law of Wages* *It is disputed whether this is Ricardo's idea
- Slides: 18