...Social Contract Theory of John Locke Luca D. Iaria University of Phoenix CJA 532/ Ethics in Justice and Security Professor: Cyril Vierra January 25, 2015 John Locke was a British Philosopher born in 1632. His most famous written work was The second treatise of civil government (written in 1690). This book focused on the natural state of man and how government should be structured. Locke was a fan of man to say the least. Locke describes man in his writing’s as being inherently good natured. Locke goes on to explain that man in a state of nature is peaceful. Locke contested that man should challenge authority by using self reason to search for the truth. He said that man shouldn’t just expect the opinion of the authority or be subject to superstition. By man choosing to use reason he can then find the truth and challenge the legitimate functions of institutions hence optimizing human flourishing for the individual and the society. Locke explains that without the establishment of a common political authority, man will remain in a state of nature. This is a clear example of how Locke felt about man and how he viewed them as a whole. Lock stated “All men in their natural state are in a state of perfect freedom (Locke, 1690).” The positive side of Locke's anti-authoritarianism is that he believes that using reason to try to grasp the truth, and determining the legitimate functions of institutions will optimize human flourishing for the individual and society both in respect...
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...The Social Contract Theory of John Locke Paper University of phoenix Finance and Budgeting in Justice and Security AJS/532 Matthew O’Deane November 20, 2013 The Social Contract Theory of John Locke Paper My paper evaluates the Social Contract Theory of John Locke, and how his principles are even within the criminal justice system, and private security situations nowadays. This paper shall also in great detail debate whether or not Locke’s’ values and beliefs pertain to criminal justice as well as private security venues. A summary will be presented to identify key dissimilarities of the social contract theories, recognize key any principles connected with Locke’s social contract theory, label how these codes are instilled within the United States Bill of Rights, recognize how these principles show within the criminal justice system and security organizations of present, and lastly define independence in regards to personal rights and proper principles, and commitments. “A social contract is a voluntary agreement in which mutual benefit occurs between and for individuals, groups, government or a community as a whole. According to Locke, the State of Nature, the natural condition of mankind, is a state of perfect and complete liberty to conduct one's life as one best sees fit, free from the interference of others (Kelly, Martin. (2012)).” This doesn’t mean that it is a state of authorization: a citizen isn’t...
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...1 Hobbes v. Locke Do you generally believe people are good? If you trust your fellow man so much, then why do you lock your door? This is a form of the question, the great philosopher, Thomas Hobbes would propose to people who believe that the general human state of nature is good. Thomas Hobbes had a pessimistic view of human nature, similar to John Calvin. Hobbes believed that the rapacious nature of man was for everyone to be at war with everyone. By competing in each person’s own self interest, which led to life being poor, solitary, and brutish until the formation of government. In the state of nature, this enables others to be able to come and take that away from you. This is the intersection where Thomas Hobbes and another great philosopher, John Locke, agree. They both believe that a source of social contract is necessary in order to get along in the state of nature. Although Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both developed the social contract theory, a closer examination of each fundamental philosophy reveals a greater contrast in theory than most fail to realize such as the contrast in origins of government, limitations of government, dwellings of sovereignty, and the rights of revolution. The social contract theory was developed by multiple influential thinkers of political philosophy. One of those men was Thomas Hobbes, who lived during the English Civil War. During this war, he witnessed the collapse of absolute government and therefore influenced his ...
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...Hobbes and John Locke Abstract The Social Contract theory which dominated the European political thought in the eighteen century has played a very important part in the development of the modern political theory and practice. Being the most important of all the speculative theories, it came into being as a result of reaction against the theory of the Divine Origin. This theory was the first to denounce the influence of the church in the state affairs, provided an explanation for the origin of the state and shows the relationship between those who governs and those who are governed. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are the chief exponents of the Contract Theory. Both of them have established their thesis from the beginning of human habitation, though their ideas and opinions are quite distinct. Hobbes in his theory has only described one contract where Locke has described two. Thomas Hobbes’ “Leviathan” and John Locke’s “Two Treaties on Civil Government” these books are considered as bibles in the evolution of modern states system. Though there are criticisms and debates regarding the social contract theory, but the modern political theories today have evolved from these contract theories which has no doubt. The aim of this assignment is to compare and contrast between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and explore their contribution in the development of international relations according to the analysis of their works. Introduction Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan and John Locke’s Two...
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...The theory of social agreement paper 544 2/22/2016 Melba V. Pearson The theory of social agreement paper In my paper, I will discuss John Locke social contract theory, which it will assist on how his principles are even within the criminal justice system. In private security, issues were currently happening. In this paper as well will discuss in-depth information debate if John Locke’s central beliefs also morals relate to the criminal justice also private security location. A summary will do to help identify main dissimilarities of the social contract theories, also, recognize main any principles related to Locke’s social contract theory. Then label how these how the codes infused in the bill of right within the United States. Then recognize how these principles saw with the criminal justice also security organizations of a present, as well finally describe independence concerning personal rights also proper principles also the obligation. Variations of the social contract theories In the social contract theory, there were three important theorists, which portrayed an essential part in developing the idea for it. The whole idea of the theory was to assist how people would exist; within society that controlled by the government also, it laws. All of these theorists have a various form of concepts of the state of nature one, of the theorist's name Thomas Hobbies. He believed that people were egotistical. They were frightened Hobbies felt...
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...What is Social Contract Theory? The concept of social contract theory is that in the beginning man lived in the state of nature. They had no government and there was no law to regulate them. There were hardships and oppression on the sections of the society. To overcome from these hardships they entered into two agreements which are:1. “Pactum Unionis”; and 2. “Pactum Subjectionis”. By the first pact of unionis, people sought protection of their lives and property. As, a result of it a society was formed where people undertook to respect each other and live in peace and harmony. By the second pact of subjectionis, people united together and pledged to obey an authority and surrendered the whole or part of their freedom and rights to an authority. The authority guaranteed everyone protection of life, property and to a certain extent liberty. Thus, they must agree to establish society by collectively and reciprocally renouncing the rights they had against one another in the State of Nature and they must imbue some one person or assembly of persons with the authority and power to enforce the initial contract. In other words, to ensure their escape from the State of Nature, they must both agree to live together under common laws, and create an enforcement mechanism for the social contract and the laws that constitute it. Thus, the authority or the government or the sovereign or the state came into being because of the two agreements. Analysis of the theory of Social...
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...Social Contract Theory on the Criminal Justice System and Private Security Philosophy Foundations of Ethics in Justice and Security Social Contract Theory on the Criminal Justice System and Private Security Prior to the social contract theory, there was no government body providing laws, order, and protection. Humans were left to protect their own lives and property. When problems ensued between individuals, evolution occurred, and the strongest usually survived. From this, the social contract theory emerged, which required a group of individuals to give up their individual rights to govern themselves, and comply to a selected government authority. This government represents the group’s interests and forms and civil society that provide protection of life and property (Souryal, 2007). This paper will summarize the different social contract theories, focus on John Locke’s social contract theory principles, and discuss how these principles influenced the Bill of Rights. Additionally, this paper will search how these principles are present in the criminal justice system and private security settings. Lastly, the paper will describe freedom of personal rights and ethical standards and obligations. Social Contract Theories There are many different versions of the social contract theory. Thomas Hobbes' social contract theory defines state of nature as a condition of self-absorbed human...
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...John Locke and Thomas Hobbes developed their political theories at a time of political, religious and social upheaval in England. Both Locke and Hobbes shared the enlightenment view of the world. Their scientific understanding of cause and effect shaped their views not just of physical objects and how they interacted, but also of people and how they interacted in society. Both men wrote their own theories of Social Contract; they share several similarities, but differ in the responsibilities and rights of the State. According to Hobbes, prior to the Social Contract, man lived in the State of Nature. Man lived in a chaotic condition of selfishness and constant fear. Man has a desire for order and security, so man entered into a contract to...
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...John Locke, Thomas More, and Thomas Hobbes were all political philosophers of their time. Thomas More, would be the least of a philosopher out of the three. Thomas More, a respected statesmen and prominent political figure and advisor to Henry VIII, was best known for authoring Utopia which depicts the social, religious, and political customs of a fictional island and attempts to define an ideal society. More’s Utopia portrays a humanist ideal world, where there is freedom and harmony between individuals and Sovereign themselves. The difficulty with Utopia is that it does not consider actual human behavior patterns. A society can accept the idea of perfect society, there is no need for “thank you” or “I’m sorry” in a society that runs on perfection and generosity runs like a spectacular waterfall. The problem is that Utopia wouldn’t work, a society would become susceptible to negative behavior, once one individual abuses the generosity of others, others will see the advantage and start to follow...
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...Social contract theory is a philosophical account of the origins of the state and the relationship between the individual and the state. It refers to an agreement between individuals, in which they abandon a part of their freedom (or natural rights) in exchange for laws guaranteeing an organized society. The concept of a social contract appears early in the writings of Plato; nevertheless, the major theorists of this concept are credited to Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This essay will assess the meaning of the social contract through an analysis of their theories. Hobbes describes his conception of the social contract in his book Leviathan whereby he begins describing an account of men in the state of nature. In this state, men strive for power, are relatively equal and fight for scare resources (Wolff 2006). Therefore, from theses assumption of equality, scarcity and uncertainty, Hobbes theorized the creation of a state, which could ensure peace and security by commanding people (M.Rosen and J.Wolff 1999). That is why the social contract should be a “contract of submission”, which means that the only way to maintain the security is to completely submit to a sovereign authority. This contract is characterised by two fundamental features, which are a complete submission and an absolute power (J.Hampton 2013). Hobbes argues, only a powerful sovereign can maintain social stability: “Without the sword, contracts are only words" (Leviathan 1651). The result...
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...The Social Contract The Age of Enlightenment was a period of reason, discovery, and knowledge. In the 17th century, Europe created a movement that supported personal intellect, skepticism, and individualism. People resisted traditional notions and set out to think for themselves and develop new ways of interpreting life. In this new age of reason, society’s origin was questioned and this resulted in a new philosophy. The Social Contract is a theory that explains the relationship between individuals and authority. There are many different viewpoints on how this theoretical contract originated and how it should be upheld. New enlightened thinkers Thomas Hobbes, John Lock, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau publically shared their views on the Social Contract. The Leviathan, published in 1651, was the first written work to argue certain interpretations of a social contract. Thomas Hobbes used this publication to explain to the world why an absolute government was necessary for the advancement of civilization and individualism. According to Hobbes, before laws and government were established, men existed in a “state of nature”. The hypothetical state of nature describes the condition in which people lived before a civil society. Hobbes believed that this state was full of chaos, fear, and self-reliance. Men were free to do as they pleased and there was no order to ensure their protection. In order to maintain a beneficial society, men would have to surrender their rights and freedoms to...
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...power right, Locke explains how we must understand the state of all men; a state also of equality. In Book 2—Chapter 2 Of the State of Nature, Locke begins to explain that all men live in a state of perfect power, equality and freedom. Men are all born naturally equal in the same state, where no one has power or privilege over another. Their actions and behaviors cannot be bound by other men. Locke states that the only time a man should obey authority and obedience, is in the presence of God; God is allowed to bequeath some dominance in power of man. He then goes to quote Richard Hooker— an influential Anglican Theologian—who writes that men crave things that satisfy them, such as affection. If they crave these things...
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...| John Locke | The father of modern liberalism | | Cole Davis | 5/20/2012 | | Liberalism, a political ideology based on the belief that constant progress is achievable, the human race is composed of intrinsically good beings, and that these intrinsically good beings are and should be autonomous in nature, is an idea that made an incredible resurgence during the English enlightenment. As the belief of Liberalism gained popularity with the public it also developed an enormous following among European philosophers. John Locke, the individual responsible for the idea of natural rights as well as the social compact, helped mold this idea of Liberalism into its own unique philosophical tradition. Because of these great contributions, John Locke is considered as father of modern liberalism. Born August 29, 1632 at Wrington in Somerset, John Locke was the son of a lawyer and the oldest child of his Puritan household (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). While Locke was a child, his father closely monitored and guided his education. An incredibly educated individual, Locke first received a formal education at Westminster School eventually graduating to Christ Church, Oxford (Collinson). After receiving his bachelors of arts in 1656, Locke stayed at Oxford to earn his master’s degree. Locke became the censor of moral philosophy in 1664 and in 1675 when the Earl of Shaftesbury fell from power; Locke exiled himself to France to restore his health (Locke, Berkeley, Hume). After four...
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...1748, he states his justification against the social contract theory called, “Of The Original Contract”. The social contract theory has two main claims. First, it states that the government and its people have entered a mutual contract with each other. Secondly, . In the end, Hume’s criticism that involves the theory, “Of The Original Contract” will be elucidated. The social contract theory showcases two different ideas of consent. Moreover, the two ideas are presented as actual and express consent. This fortifies the difference in how someone consents such as agreeing on terms through verbal agreement or non-verbal. Non-verbal express consent can show how one government has the...
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...Vice or Virtue John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are two highly influential philosophers who individually wrote pieces on what they believe would be the correct form of governing, both advocated the only way to govern people is to do so with their willing consent. Despite their agreement on that, their foundations to reach this ultimate goal is starkly different, they view the people who are giving this consent with different lens. Locke considered the assurance of one’s private property a positive and prosperous for man, and motivated the ability to attain more than what is needed as long as it is not taken by force or gone to waste. Rousseau blatantly viewed it as an evil phenomenon that would begin the domino effect for the decline in...
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