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The Political Philosophers

Who rules?. The Political Philosophers. Political Philosophers . . . Asked “why government”? Why does man engage in government? Wrote about the role of government What is the purpose of government? Wrote about the “state of nature” A philosophical place where there is no government

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The Political Philosophers

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  1. Who rules? The Political Philosophers

  2. Political Philosophers . . . • Asked “why government”? • Why does man engage in government? • Wrote about the role of government • What is the purpose of government? • Wrote about the “state of nature” • A philosophical place where there is no government • Wrote about natural rights • All mankind are born with these • Developed theories of government So who are they, and what did they say? And, how did they influence the founding fathers?

  3. Thomas Hobbes 1588 - 1679

  4. Thomas Hobbes • Leviathan: people are selfish and ambitious • Preferred an absolute monarchy to control ambition • SON: “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” • NR: freedom and equality (can be forfeited) • TOG: Implied Contract: people give up freedom for protection even if the ruler is cruel; cannot overthrow or replace government

  5. John Locke 1632 - 1704

  6. John Locke • Two Treatises of Government • Preferred constitutional monarchy; property owners can vote • SON: Brute force, preservation of self/property • NR: Individuals have inalienable (natural) rights • Life, liberty, property • TOG: Social Contract: People consent to be governed in order to protect their natural rights– mainly they want to protect their security; when security goes unprotected; people are supreme and should revolt

  7. Discuss these questions in small groups: • Why did Jefferson say that Locke’s little book on government is “perfect”? • What are the characteristics of the state of nature (as Locke sees it)? • What does Locke say about the “dissolution of government”? • What is the social contract? • How much influence did Locke have on the founding fathers?

  8. John-Jacques Rousseau: 1712-1778

  9. John-Jacques Rousseau • The Social Contract: “Men are born free, but everywhere he is in chains” • Preferred government: direct democracy • SON: men are born free, equal, innocent and happy, but claims to property ownership lead to violence • NR: Life and liberty (property is a fraud on the poor by the rich) • TOG: People should act in the interest of the public good. Rousseau called this “the general will.”

  10. How much did Locke influence Jefferson? Jefferson: Locke: • “life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” • “to secure these rights” • “all men created equal” • “consent of the governed” • “The history of the King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries” • “life liberty and property” • “preserve himself, his liberty and property” • “men by nature being free equal and independent” • “by consent of every individual . . . which is only by the will and determination of the majority” • Tyranny is the exercise of power without right”

  11. For tonight’s reading: • What influence did Locke have on Jefferson?

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