The philosophies of Hobbes and Locke

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two philosophers who's ideas influenced the period the Enlightenment which is also known as the "Age of Reason". According to them, human beings are creatures that rely on logic and reason to solve any questions. "People rely on the theory of natural law, which states that the alignment and organization of the planets suggests that there are also logical laws for humanity. Observation of nature, in combination with reason, will reveal these laws and human beings can reform society accordingly." Although the two influenced the period of the enlightenment, i have learned that they both have different views on the natural law and mankind’s natural characteristics. Hobbes says that the first law of nature is to seek peace, and follow it, but if this advice does not prove successful for mankind, the second law of nature says that by any means necessary, mankind must defend ourselves from the rest of the population through violence. Locke, on the other hand, says that natural law says that all humans are created equal and independent, which means no one ought to harm another in his or her life, health, liberty, or possessions. Locke means that nobody should resort to violence unless a person's free will is at risk of being taken away. Another topic they have different views on is mankind's natural characteristics. Hobbes feels that mankind is only self interested and only does things for themselves while Locke feels that as long as mankind has a sense of freedom in society peace will take over. Hobbes and Locke have a lot of different views on all these ideas and more but these views and ideas are what began influencing the period we call the Enlightenment.
- Benny Guzman