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Goal: Write an essay (2-3 pages in length, typed, double-spaced) comparing the beliefs and
philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. In order to do so in an organized fashion,
complete page 1 of the attached spreadsheet (the chart comparison) to properly compare and
contrast the two individuals. Where do you see similarities? Differences?

Develop a clear thesis (argument) statement. This is what you will argue throughout your paper.
Choose a number of issues/beliefs to compare and contrast the two. These will be your pieces of
evidence used to support your thesis.

Develop a general outline of your paper, including the order in which you wish to make your
arguments, and what pieces of evidence will be used.

Finally, write the essay.

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Deirdre McCaffrey

Intro​-Thesis

He instilled fear

Paragraph 1

Humanity/state of nature

Hobbes- all about instinct and he's all about brutality

Locke- all about logic and reasoning and equality.

Paragraph 2

Government

Hobbes-totalitarian- government is there for protection

Locke-democratic- government is there for protection and to provide freedoms

Paragraph 3

Morality

Hobbes-society/government decides on the subjective

Locke-one rule for all/ an established objective

Conclusion​-

Violence/Social Contract

Hobbes-violence leads to success; people relinquish freedoms to government to maintain

order

Locke-the state of nature will bring protection

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Deirdre McCaffrey

Mr. Pacia

Period E

2 March 18

Hobbes v. Locke

Two of the most well known philosophers of the 17th century were polar opposites when

it came to the matters of the people. Although both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were

striving for the same goal, they had different ideas as to what was the best way to control a

people. Hobbes believed that the government’s purpose was to maintain law and order while

Locke believed that the purpose of the government was to protect individual liberties and rights.

Locke was considered more conservative, resorting to excelling by form of intellect. Hobbes

however, had a more aggressive approach. He believed that the use of brutality and physical

force would gain the attention of society. Hobbes did not believe that people could govern

themselves and that an absolute monarchy would demand obedience to maintain order. Locke

thought that if provided with the right information, people would make good decisions.

Countless countries have proven Locke’s hypothesis wrong by falling into chaos after

government downfalls. History has shown that instilling fear upon the people is the best way to

be a leader. It is for this reason that Thomas Hobbes’ philosophy is far more superior than John

Locke’s.

The two philosophers differentiate on almost all aspects of life. Where Hobbes was an

aggressive man, Locke was more tranquil. Locke had the belief that intellect was above all. If

there was a smart leader with a brain, then no matter what the society would succeed. Hobbes
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however had a divergent vision. Hobbes presumed that instincts are far more important than

intelligence. He thought that if a plan was acted upon by an external force, the results would

become unknown or hard to adapt to without instinct. Will I be able to bounce back? Instinct

would allow for adaptation to these mutations instantaneously. This is a benefit because rather

than basing everything off of probability, it would be based off of reality. This approach of

brutality is more likely to gain the attention and control of the people. If fear is to be instilled on

the people, then they will do what is requested of them. Fear is the strongest emotion. If life is at

stake, people will do everything in their power to live.

With government being one of the still underdeveloped parts of society in the 1600’s, it

makes sense that the two philosophers had different viewpoints on the matter. For example,

Locke had the belief that government needed to be democratic. He thought that the society

should use the state of nature; allowing all people to be free and protected. He didn’t feel as

though society needed all of these strict rules, but rather if they were able to perform in their

natural state, then no harm shall come. He did not think that resorting to anything violent like

would benefit the people’s reactions. Hobbes however, believed in something else. Hobbes was

born during the invasion of Spanish Armada, so many of his beliefs are based off of the tortures

he witnessed. He believed in violence, because after witnessing all of these countries trying to

invade and getting their way with this approach, he knew there must’ve been a reason. Hobbes

believed that humans in their original state of nature were unhappy and miserable. In his

government, he believed that humans entered into a social compact to surrender their freedom to

a ruler. His government would grant the ruler absolute power in order to enable the ruler to

maintain law and order. He believed that you should give up freedom to gain security. Since the
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ruler was not a party to the contract, the people have no right to complain about the ruler's

policies. It is clear that Hobbes’ view of idealism through absolute monarchy and maintaining

power using the installation of fear is more effective than Locke’ democratic outlook.