Political Philosophers Philosophers Group Work You will work

Political Philosophers

Philosophers Group Work You will work in teams of FOUR to gather and report information about key philosophers whose ideas helped form the basis for our democracy! 1. Read about philosopher: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau or Montesquieu 2. Fill in boxes on worksheet 3. Share information with group 4. Apply concepts

Thomas Hobbes Biography 1588 -1679 Born in England – went to school with noblemen and intellectuals Lived in England during civil war Devoted monarchist 1640 s – Parliament was going to turn on King Charles I executed Views criticized by Parliament

Thomas Hobbes Beliefs Philosophy: “state of nature” = individuals equal but suffer from fear of danger Men motivated by desire for power Lives are “solitary, nasty, poor, brutish, and short” Natural Right= all people are equal but suffer from fear Government: Defends absolute power of King Leviathan: mythological whale-like sea monster that devours ships Leviathan = government Government = powerful state created for order

John Locke Biography 1632 -1704 Born in England Friends with nobles and scholars in government Alive during the Glorious (Bloodless) Revolution William and Mary invited to retake throne after James II flees Two Treatise of Government

John Locke Beliefs Philosophy Agreed with Hobbes – needs Social Contract for peace Law of nature- people have a peaceful moral code Difference: 1. Life, Liberty, and Property in State of Nature/ Right of Nature Cannot be taken or given up (inalienable) 2. Social Contract is between people and sovereign Government King did not hold absolute power Acted only to enforce/protect natural rights Representative Government

Baron de Montesquieu Biography 1689 -1755 Born in France to noble and prosperous family Highly educated Visited England where observed and liked political system The Spirit of the Laws Put on Forbidden Books by Roman Catholic Church

Baron de Montesquieu Philosophy: In State of Nature individual fearful – they avoid violence and war State of War leads humans to live in society Law of nature-To have Liberty gov’t is needed so man isn’t afraid One person takes too much power Right of Nature- None Government Opposed monarchy Social Contract- Should be divided and checked Separated into executive, legislative, judicial

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Biography 1712 -1778 Born in Switzerland Orphaned so did a great deal of traveling where he met figures of intellectual movement Released Social Contract in 1762 Scorned by officials and publicly burned Had to seek refuge from French authorities

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Beliefs Philosophy: Man naturally good but corrupted by society Law of Nature Savages in State of Nature but are free; Right of Nature- equal and happy Property ownership created inequality Social Contract not willing agreement but fraud against people by rich Government: Believed in direct democracy No separation of powers “We the People” People = political power

Debate Topics 1. The best form of government is a representative democracy. 2. Only the president should have the power to declare war. 3. A good way to make laws is for all the people to directly vote on them. 4. Religion should be a part of the government. 5. The government should have the authority to confiscate a person’s property for the public good.

Philosopher Debate 1. Each group member takes on the role of Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, or Rousseau. 2. Decide whether your philosopher would agree or disagree with each statement. a) Support by referencing one of his major beliefs. 3. Debate each topic from the point of view of the philosopher you are roleplaying. 4. After the debates are finished, you will discuss which of the four philosophers you agree with the most and why.