Political Philosophers

Discover a Philosopher Philosophers Discover a Philosopher You will work in teams of four to gather and report information about key philosophers whose ideas helped form the basis for our democracy and government Choose and read about a philosopher – Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau or Montesquieu Fill in the boxes for your philosopher Share the information with your group Complete the worksheet as others share their philosopher

Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679 Born in England – went to school with noblemen and intellectuals Lived in England during civil war Devoted Monarchist 1640s – Parliament was going to turn on King Charles I Charles I executed Views criticized by Parliament Government Defends absolute power of King Leviathan – mythological whale-like sea monster that devours ships Leviathan = government Government = powerful state created for order

Thomas Hobbes Beliefs State of Nature Law of nature Right of Nature individuals equal but suffer from fear of danger life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” Men motivated by desire for power Law of nature None Right of Nature Life, preservation of self, equality Social Contract Individuals create supreme power to impose peace People cannot revolt once power is given Why the U.S. Cares? Equality…

John Locke 1632-1704 Born in England Friends with nobles and scholars in government Alive during the Glorious (Bloodless) Revolution William and Mary invited to retake the throne after James II fled Government King did not hold absolute power Acted only to enforce/protect natural rights Representative Government Two Treatise of Government

John Locke Beliefs State of Nature Law of Nature Right of Nature Brutal, violent, everyone against everyone (agrees with Hobbes) Law of Nature Free and equal Right of Nature Unalienable rights: life, liberty and property Limited rulers power Social Contract Needed for peace (agrees with Hobbes) Agreement amongst people and sovereign Ruler protects natural rights People can revolt and establish new government Why the U.S. Cares? Life, liberty, and property Right to revolt

Baron de Montesquieu 1689-1755 Born in France to noble and prosperous family Highly educated Visited England where he observed and liked political system The Spirit of the Laws Put on Forbidden Books by Roman Catholic Church Government Opposed monarchy Should be divided and checked Separated into executive, legislative, judicial

Baron de Montesquieu Beliefs State of Nature Fearful and people avoided violence and war Need for food and state of wars causes people to live in a society Law of Nature Society created for needs Social Contract No social contract State of war led to human laws and government Why the U.S. Cares? Three branches of government

Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712 -1778 Born in Switzerland – Orphaned Traveled and met figures of the intellectual movement Released Social Contract in 1762 Scorned by officials and publicly burned Had to seek refuge from French authorities Government “We the People” People = Political Power

Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712 -1778 State of Nature Free, equal, peaceful and happy Property ownership creates inequalities war Man naturally good, but corrupted by society Law of Nature No pain to others and morality is law Right of Nature Rights can never be given up Social Contract Not willing agreement, fraud against people committed by rich Rights given up, not to a king but to all people People = sovereign (direct democracy) No separation of powers Why U.S. Cares? People rule! (popular sovereignty)

Philosophers Debate and Discussions A member from each group takes on the role of one philosopher – Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, or Rousseau. Decide whether your philosopher would agree or disagree with each statement. Support your stance by referencing one of his major beliefs Debate each topic from the point of view of the philosopher you are role-playing. Argument/debate is encouraged! If you think another philosopher’s idea is the worst, tell him.. After the debates are finished, you will discuss which of the four philosophers you agree with the most and why.

Debate and discussion topics… The best form of government is a representative democracy Only the president should have the power to declare war A good way to make laws is for all the people to directly vote on them Religion should be a part of the government The government should have the authority to confiscate a person’s property for the public good

Name That Philosopher Who thought direct democracy was the best form of government? Who believed that property was a natural right? Who promoted separation of powers? Who thought people needed an absolute ruler to create order? Who was the most handsome of all philosophers?

Founding Father Twinners Hobbes Locke Montesquieu Rousseau Life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” Equality Lay down rights to a sovereign Natural rights are unalienable Life, liberty and property Agreement amongst people and sovereign People are fearful and avoid violence Society created for needs Loves 3 branches Free, equal, peaceful People = sovereign No separation of powers needed Rights to the people Hamilton Jefferson Madison Mason