Thomas Hobbes Impact On Society

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The Scientific revolution had a huge impact on society in the 18 century. There was solace found within society to question old ideas, theories, and convictions. Which brought about the Era of Enlightenment or The Age of Reason. This 18th Century era was monumental for scholars and philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke. Society began to use the scientific method and principles of reason rather than politics and religion to explain aspects of society.

Thomas Hobbes is best known for his views on human nature in his book called “The Leviathan”. The leviathan is Hobbes take on the social contract.

The Social Contract is an agreement between society and government. Rules, duties, and obligations are established between the two. Each end of the social contract is expected to be upheld by both parties to ensure peace and control in society.

Hobbes believed prior to the social contract, man lived in the State of Nature. Man has a natural desire to live in order. Hobbes believed that the state of nature of man was to live in constant fear; “Perpetual state of fear, danger, violence and mayhem”. He believed all humans were egotistical, self-absorbed, and
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He believed this state of nature is a state of equality where all power and authority is mutual. Otherwise known as a self -governing society. Man was born with three basic right; life, liberty, and property. He believes if and when a government does not protect those three basic rights, its people should overthrow it. He believed the government exists solely for the well-being of its people. According to Locke “ the purpose of the Government and law is to uphold and protect the natural rights of men. So long as the Government fulfills this purpose, the laws given by it are valid and binding but, when it ceases to fulfill it, then the laws would have no validity and the Government can be thrown out of

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