1. Political Philosophers

2. 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

3. Thomas Hobbes
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

4. 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…

5. 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

6. 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

7. Baron de Montesquieu
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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