Hobbes and Locke: Social Contract Essay

doubting Thomas Hobbes and flush toilet Locke held contrasting theories on how governwork forcet should limit the rights of manpower, which they referred to as the social generate. Thomas Hobbes theory of the social contract is that a government should have complete discretion over the limitations of mens rights, while Lockes theory is that a social contract is necessary, but the rights limited should be all for the tribute of property.Thomas Hobbes theory of the social contract is that men should give up all of their rights to an absolute government for the protection of their lives. He writes in Chapter 14 of Leviathan that man should be willing for peace and defence of himself to lay garbage down this right to all things . (Hobbes 161). He concludes by describing the motive for man handing over rights as being for his aegis (Hobbes 162).John Lockes theory is that the social contract should limit the rights of man only to protect his property. In Chapter 9 Locke describes his theory that man joins the social contract only with an intention to preserve his property (Locke 171). Locke contrasts with Hobbes where he writes in Chapter 7 of Of obliging Government that anyone that thinks that absolute government improves men should read the history of any age to be convinced otherwise (Locke 170).What role the social contract should have in the lives of men is subjective. Thomas Hobbes theory on the social contract holds that an absolute government is needed for the protection of mens lives, while John Lockes theory focuses on a limited government solely for the protection of mens property.Works CitedThomas Hobbes Leviathan The Arts 1000 Reader Pearson 2007 pp 159-163 John Locke Of Civil Government The Arts 1000 Reader Pearson 2007 pp 167-173.