Government Philosophy

Philosophical Conservatism vs. Philosophical Liberalism Is mankind naturally born selfish and bad/evil? Philosophical Conservative would say YES! Philosophical Liberal would say NO! This belief system tends to dictate how a person will then view the purpose, or needs, of government

WHY GOVERNMENT? This is a question that has been repeatedly asked by Government Philosophers Many different philosophies on this.. But in medieval England the predominant theory was The Divine Right of Kings Philosophy basically stated that you should obey your ruler because God selected that ruler for a reason Social Contract Theorists started to defy this idea, and advocated that people should have some control over their government Worried these theorists would inspire rebellions, Hobbes believed people needed different reasoning for why they needed to obey their king.. Helping to inspire his philosophy…

Thomas Hobbes Fun Fact: Philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Calvin are the inspiration for the name of the popular comic strip, “Calvin and Hobbes” … Can you see how this is evident?

Thomas Hobbes Philosophical Conservative- Born 1588 Experienced negative consequences of violence as a child 64 years old when the English Civil War started, when he wrote Leviathan. Published his beliefs in “The Leviathan” Leviathan was a biblical sea monster so powerful that no power on Earth could compare to it

Hobbes’ “State Of Nature” Theory State of Nature Theory from “the Leviathan” In a State of Nature, without government, there is complete chaos, death, and destruction Government brings order and stops chaos, death, and destruction People give up their personal freedom to government in exchange for protection (a social contract) An absolute ruler with all power is necessary to provide proper protection Therefore citizens do not have a right to rebel, instead they give up their freedom to govt. for protection Hobbes believes a state of nature continues.. But between countries rather than individuals (Government protects people from other Governments)

Hobbes Discussion Questions How is Hobbes a Philosophical Conservative? What is Hobbe’s opinion on the purpose of government? What do you think may have influenced Hobbe’s beliefs or opinions? Can you think of any modern day examples that would confirm Hobbe’s philosophy on a strictly kept social contract? What is your opinion on Hobbe’s theories?

John Locke Locke a Philosophical Liberal – Born 1632 Also wrote during the English Civil Wars “Tabula Rasa”- Blank Slate Mankind born with a blank slate that evolves over time from different experiences All people share a common human sense of being human .. He calls these natural rights Wrote philosophical ideas in “Two Treatises on Government”

Locke’s “Natural Rights” Theory Locke believed all people had “Natural Rights” which included the right to: Life – to be alive and thrive Liberty – to be free to make own decisions Property – to own different possessions that make life better/easier

The Social Contract Locke disagreed with Hobbes on the state of nature Felt a state of nature would not be mass chaos, but there would still be issues Admitted that people’s natural rights were not protected in a state of nature People give up some personal freedoms in order to have a government that protects their natural rights, this is known as a social contract A Governments sole purpose is to protect natural rights for the people This is an agreement between people and their government called a social contract A Government that goes beyond this violates natural rights If Government infringes upon people’s natural rights, then the people have a right to rebel and create a new government

Locke Discussion Questions How is Locke a Philosophical Conservative? What is Locke’s opinion on the purpose of government? What do you think may have influenced Locke’s beliefs or opinions? How does Locke’s theories differentiate from Hobbes? Can you think of any possible influences of Locke’s philosophy that can be found within our own government or nation’s history? What is your opinion on Locke’s theories?

Questions? How do Locke and Hobbes compare? (use worksheet) Shared experience of the English Civil War? The Purpose of Authority? Rights and Civil Liberties? What do you think the impact of these theories were on our founding fathers (and therefore our system of government)