Hobbes and Locke: Social Contract Essay

Thomas Hobbes and jakes Locke held contrasting theories on how presidential term should limit the rights of hands, which they referred to as the sociable hire. Thomas Hobbes theory of the social trim back is that a government should have complete discretion over the limitations of mens rights, enchantment Lockes theory is that a social contract is necessary, but the rights contain should be solely for the shield 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 heartsease and defence of himself to lay down this right to all things . (Hobbes 161). He concludes by describing the motive for man handing over rights as being for his security (Hobbes 162).John Lockes theory is that the social contract should limit the rights of man merely to protect his property. In Chapter 9 Locke describes his the ory 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 Civil politics that anyone that thinks that absolute government improves men should read the explanation 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. industrial plant 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.