1. Tuesday 8/11 RAP What is a “contract”?
an agreement with specific terms between two or more persons
What does the word “social” mean?
Of or relating to human society
Now define the term social contract to the best of your ability
Today:
Review the Social Contract

2. The Idea of “Social Contract”
Enlightened Thinkers:
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3. Objective:
By the end of this lesson you be able to complete a Venn- Diagram that compares the philosophies of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.
Throughout the lesson you will write down facts on the back of the Venn-Diagram handout.
Hobbes
Locke
Rousseau

4. Similar Beliefs:
Although born in different times they hold similar beliefs, they did not believe in the “Divine Right of Kings”.
Leaders chosen by God was unproven, unreasonable and illogical.
Leaders are approved by the people.
“Consent of the governed” or “Popular consent”.
In a State of Nature everyone is free and equal.
Humans live in isolation by themselves or in family groups, clans, or tribes.

5. Thomas Hobbes:
The State of Nature is constant fear: (pessimistic)
The world was a “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. Fear was a constant companion.
War of all against all (everyone man for themselves)
To survive this war, and fear, people must forfeit their free rights to the leader.
The leader’s power comes from the collected rights the subjects give up.
If the leader or his descendants were cruel, conditions would have to be tolerated to keep from going back into the State of Nature (fear).

6. Check for Understanding: Notes
List three facts for Hobbes.

7. John Locke: 1632 – 1704 The State of Nature is not fear: (optimistic)
People are free but endowed with reason, rather then
a desire for absolute power.
Humans instinctively follow ‘natural laws’.
Most major religions have a code of conduct people should live by (ex: 10 commandments).
Humans are social beings that tend to band together in small communities, creating a government.
BUT to vote you had to own property in the government.
He suggested indirect democracy (republic) based upon representatives elected by voters.

8. John Locke:
People entered into the society on a voluntary and reasoned basis, and he believed that they should not be forced or asked to give up all of their rights, but rather that humans had natural rights (inalienable) which the society and leader MUST respect and protect.
The government was tasked to protect Life, Liberty and Property and if a government does not protect these rights they can be overthrown in favor of another government.
Believed in Separation of Powers between legislative, executive and judicial.
Believed in Pluralism: Majority rule with respect to minority rights.
He was followed largely by the framers of Constitution…Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness…

9. Check for Understanding: Notes
List three facts for Locke.

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: 1712 – 1778
Known as the ‘Father of True Democracy’ .
His State of Nature was different from Hobbes and
Locke because he believed people lived in harmony with nature
and each other, showing compassion for others.
People come together, voluntarily, to form societies, not out of fear or innate sociability, but rather to overcome whatever obstacles nature throws their way.
People should not have to abandon rights to a higher authority because everyone is equal.
Believed in direct democracy. The cooperation and compassion people have for each other would allow people to understand the needs and wishes of each person.

11. Jean-Jacques Rousseau:
For direct democracy to work communities had to have the “proper size”.
Ground rules would not be needed because the size would naturally create a process of consensus on issues.
If anyone felt uncomfortable with any way of life, a return to the state of nature was open.
Believed if a state were to develop it should be positive, and its primary goal would be to care and help its citizens. Homelessness, hunger, and ignorance would not be allowed to overtake its people. The state would share resources so that all members of society would be provided for.
The state should encourage citizens to help each other, share resources and cultivate compassion for each other.
His views are considered an early form of self-actualization, proto- socialist, welfare thinking of democracy where the government is an entity that should take of its citizens, rather than ignore them and leave them to their fate.

12. Check for Understanding: Notes
List three facts for Rousseau.

13. Closure: Venn-Diagram handout
Using the notes you created, transfer the information into a Venn-Diagram.
Place facts that they agree on in the overlapping circles.