Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau each responded that humanity had once lived in a .
They believed that people were able to create a .
government which would serve their interests better than the natural state did.
Born in 1588, Thomas Hobbes was a significant philosopher in the 1600's. Not .
only did he have one of the most influential views on materialism, He also had a very .
intriguing outlook on human nature. He believed man's nature to be selfish and careless .
of others. That man only looked out for his own best interest. The security of an .
individual depended on his own strength and intelligence. He believed that life of man .
was, shut-in, poor, nasty, and short. Therefore he felt the only solution is the .
establishment of a society with a stable government. He stated that the formation of a .
powerful government assured the individual's security and restraint man's selfish and .
aggressive nature. In order for this security, the people must promise complete obedience. .
He believed freedom is only possible if the people surrender their liberty to "an all .
powerful sovereign." .
Another considerable English philosopher was John Locke. Unlike Hobbes, .
Locke believed man's nature to be reasonable and respectful. He reasoned that all men .
were in the state of nature until they voluntarily agreed to become members of a society. .
Everyone is compelled by the natural moral law, not to harm another person. He .
believed man had natural rights, like freedom, given to him by god. He noted that society .
is natural to man, because it fulfills human needs. Political society and government must .
rest on the consent of the people, he said. He believed the purpose of a government is to .
protect the individual's rights and liberties. He also believed that people are most free .
when they are left alone. Therefore the government should interfere as little as possible .
in man's activities. All laws must rest on the will of the majority and they must be .
