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Hobbesian And Lockeian Theories, Part 3 to blupete's Essay
"An Essay On Government"
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To go into the Hobbesian and Lockeian theories about Pre-Social Man is more than I intend to do at this place; suffice it to say that Thomas Hobbes thought, in uncivilized times, in times before government, there existed continual war with "every man, against every man."2 This Hobbsian view is to be contrasted with that of John Locke. Locke thought that the original state of man was happy and was characterized by reason and tolerance. He thought that all human beings, in their natural state, were equal and free to pursue matters, considered as inalienable rights -- life, health, liberty, and possessions.3 One will have to make up their own mind as to whether man has a natural morality, or not. However, I am bound to point out that Locke's theories on the nature of man have held sway for three hundred years. It was to be the middle of the 19th century before the theories of evolution (theories supported by hard facts) were to be discussed and accepted; Locke's views are consistent with evolutionary theory. That which distinguishes man from the animals, is man's capacity to communicate and cooperate with one another, a capacity which evolved slowly over millions of years and which could not possibly evolve in the "solitary and brutish" world which Hobbes thought existed.
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