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  • Essay / Analyzing Aspects of John Locke's Social Contract Theory

    John Locke argues that we should study our place in the natural world to shape our ethical and political system. The most natural human behavior is to avoid pain and seek pleasure, which means people are sometimes naturally selfish. It also asserts that we have a natural law that gives us the right to life, liberty, and the fruits of our labor (property) simply by virtue of our birth. He says: “Being all equal and independent, no one should harm another in his life, health, liberty or property. » There are people who would do horrible things to us in the name of their self-interest, whether we like it or not. This is why they develop a community that uses reason to make and govern laws in the public interest and that gives an executive power the right to enforce them. these laws to protect us benefit everyone. With a civil society, we have established laws, a judge and means of enforcement. The most important reason why people choose to consent to civil society is that in a civil society there is an enforcer of the laws. Additionally, to join a civil society you must consent by giving up your right to do whatever you want and punish others. It is very difficult to give up your right to do what you want in favor of majority rule. Freedom hasn't disappeared, but you are expected to follow many rules in most civil societies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The idea of ​​a social contract was not unknown before John Locke, but his belief differed from others at the time because he believed that natural rights were different from social contracts in that we were entitled to them by being born and a social contract is just an agreement we make to help us maintain those rights. Despite what you think about the state of nature, it is widely accepted that there will always be filthy people who do things that harm you for the sake of their own gain. John Locke's core beliefs that all humans are reasonable and tolerant can lead people to do things at the expense of others who are more vulnerable. Locke compares the state of nature to a state of true equality because he believes that everyone is a blank slate, but true equality cannot be achieved. Some people are better built for certain things, leaving the most vulnerable group powerless against the strongest in the state of nature. Therefore, even if we all had the right to obtain redress, we do not all have the same ability to exercise this right. Physically less powerful people would be at the mercy of those who were able to control them and their rights would not be protected. The main reason I disagree with Locke is that even in situations where people grow up in the same home and environment as others, they can still develop talents and abilities that allow them to succeed. Locke also says that humans are sometimes selfish and that if left to their own devices, a state of war would be inevitable. Locke and Hobbes also directly disagree on this topic. Hobbes said of the state of nature: “No arts; no letters; no company; and what is worst of all, the continual fear and danger of violent death: and the life of man, solitary, poor, wicked, brutal and short. It is clear that Hobbes would argue that many would be killed or exploited, even though Locke believes that every human being has the).