1. Compare Aristotle and Hobbes on the nature of political science.

What kind of knowledge can the study of politics produce? How does the theory of politics contribute to its practice? Who has a better understanding of the nature of political science? Why?

Aristotle and Hobbs have different views on the nature of political science. For Aristotle, the main purpose of political is to become more virtuous. Hobbes, however, sees politics as producing As a result of Aristotle seeing politics as producing virtue, politics needs to be moral.

2. Leo Strauss argues that Locke is really a Hobbes is sheeps clothing. In other words, the logic of Lockes theory of government is essentially the same as Hobbes. Is this view correct? Why or why not? Locke and Hobbes argue for very different types of government, limited government and monarchy respectively. Leo Strauss argues that Locke and Hobbes essentially use the same logic, however, I do not think that Strausss view of Locke and Hobbes is completely correct. Hobbes and Locke use the same points, such as reason or social contract theory, but they take opposite views on what they mean. Locke and Hobbes use reason or the lack thereof to argue for government. Locke and Hobbes both use the idea of a social contract theory to argue for their view of government. That is about as far as the similarities in logic go. Hobbes argues that through the social theory it is a covenant in this social contract theory, the government is above the contract. Locke, however, sees the social contract theory as a contract and the government is part of the contract with the people.

3. Does John Lockes theory of prerogative undermine his theory of limited government? Why or why not? While Locke might seem to undermine his theory of limited government with his theory of prerogative, it in fact does not undermine anything. Locke argues that we while we should have a limited government, we should not abolish government altogether. Government is needed to preserve and enlarge freedom. He also says that freedom is not license to do whatever you want, nor does it specifically mean free choice. We are meant to be rational. Locke argues for rationality, by having the government override the legislative action for the good of all seems to be rational.