Two Men, Two Philosophies, One Era
...most often perceived as being diametrically opposed in their conceptions of human nature and natural law. In contrast, it can also be claimed that the two different perspectives of Hobbes and Locke are not that far removed and are actually closer, upon further reflection we will compare and contrast the state of nature and its natural conditions. We will also take a closer look into to the differences with the nature of men, natural liberty, the equality of notion, and the construction of their social contracts.
Both philosophers believe that men are born into the state of nature, are free, and they are free for the same fundamental reason. Locke states, "the equality I there spoke of as proper to the business in hand, being that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man"(Locke, 31). Locke thought that everyone is born equal into the state of nature and by virtue of being bound to the same set of obligations and law that in this sense all men are equal, introducing the concept of the Tabula Rasa where we are all born with a clean and clear state. Hobbes also believed in equality in his conception of the state of nature by virtue of the fact that even the feeblest man can be instrumental in the execution of the strongest man. Hobbes explains this when he says, "For as to the strength of body, the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself"(Hobbes, 183). From this point forward it is clear that their conceptions of the state of nature are very different.
Locke seemed to think man is equal in the state of nature because one is born into a society of people who use their rational capacities and can recognize these natural laws as binding. Locke makes a statement in relation to...
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