THE LAW OF NATURE: [II. 6] 6. ... And that all men may be restrained from invading others' rights, and from doing hurt to one another, and the law of Nature be observed, which willeth the peace and preservation of all mankind, the execution of the law of Nature is in that state put into every man's hands, whereby every one has a right to punish the transgressors of that law to such a degree as may hinder its violation. For the law of Nature would, as all other laws that concern men in this world, be in vain if there were nobody that in the state of Nature had a power to execute that...

• Word Count: 7672
• Approx Pages: 31
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

For centuries, mankind has been consumed with the concepts of human nature and conflict in society. ... The science is that definitions that have been established before hand and therefore the conclusions reached are the results of empirical knowledge. Definitions used to reach a conclusion that arent established through the scientific process are results of opinion based theories and, therefore, conditional. ... A Commonwealth (Hobbes, Leviathan 132) can be created, by force or by mutual agreement. Forcing a commonwealth means taking control of a group of people and if they do not resist ...

• Word Count: 2690
• Approx Pages: 11

An advocate of physical power, as well as governmental power, Machiavelli stressed the need for virtu, a quality that has been translated to mean "...a union of force and ability...will"(Burckhardt quoted in Machiavelli 195). ... He moved back to Machiavelli's notion of the nature of man, but then extended that theory into what he called the "state of nature". Hobbes gives us the first true definition of the state of nature and the purpose of man's existence in it. ... Peace cannot exist in the state of war born out of the state of nature, so it becomes apparent that the laws of nat...

• Word Count: 2524
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The Second, the summe of the Right of Nature of Nature; which is, By all means we can, to defend our selves." ... - The second law of nature follows to seek peace... XVII Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of Commonwealth - Hobbes concludes that there must be some common power, some sovereign authority, to force people to uphold the contract. ... - There are two ways of establishing a commonwealth: through acquisition (force) means that a sovereign power takes control of a group of people, who--if they do not resist the acquisition and depose the sovereign--must consent to his cont...

• Word Count: 2051
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Since the definitions contained in their respective literature are distinct from one another, this essay will explore Rousseau and Locke's respective theories in Social Contract and Second Treatise, on the State of Nature and realizing freedom. Rousseau and Locke begin their work on political theory with a discussion on the state of nature. ... This is significant because in Rousseau's State of Nature, the only two feelings are pity and compassion which is one reason why he feel's the State of Nature is better than the one we live in today. ... In the state of nature, natural ...

• Word Count: 2158
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Consequently, historical examination of this concept provides an outline for the inquiry made regarding the nature of liberty "its definition, its implementation, and its value. ... When these claimed rights conflict, force is the only resolution. ... Professor George Martin addresses the sources and nature of these changes. ... Montesquieu's ideas contrast sharply with those of Rousseau who, Allen argues: "opened the modern assault on nature as a moral standard and natural rights as a source of political principles."" Rousseau argued that man is separated from other living crea...

• Word Count: 2975
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Concept of Human Nature Locke's view on man is summed up in his Essay on Human Understanding. ... Locke's philosophy on human nature was greatly influenced by the hard times in which he lived and was involved in. During times of extreme distress and also when in political exile, he noticed the vicious aspects of human nature. ... He experienced the goodness of human nature. His whole political theory is based on his perception of human nature. ...

• Word Count: 7056
• Approx Pages: 28
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

This philosophy is the groundwork for what we now more wholly understand as laws of nature, in whatever form, not to be exploited or undermined. The reality of contemporary liberalism, as it is inspired by socialism, clearly fuses with the definition of this philosophical genius, if indeed it could be summarized as a general ideology. ... Once realized, this brand of political association would be one which "will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as f...

• Word Count: 3737
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: Undergraduate