Two Essays about John Locke's and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s political theories
The natural law theory of politics has been playing an important role in the evolution of states since the time of Ancient Greece. Later, these theories provided the basis for philosophers of the 16th and 17th century, here to name Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke as the most important ones. In a time of civil wars and political upheavals, the natural law theories often provided a justification for a new order or at least tried to define a new form of the state. Since this theory is regarded as a basis for many modern liberal states, the following essay will explain the key elements of natural law theory such as natural law, the state of nature and the need for a social contract. I will mainly rely on John Locke and his work The Second Treatise of Government (published in 1689).
Table of Contents
1. An Essay on John Locke
2. An Essay on Jean Jacques Rousseau
Objectives and Topics
The work examines the political theories of John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, specifically focusing on the concepts of natural law, the state of nature, the social contract, and the origins of social inequality as foundational elements of modern political thought.
- Natural law theory and its conceptual elements
- Locke’s perspective on the state of nature and civil society
- Legitimacy and the role of government according to John Locke
- Rousseau’s critique of inequality and the development of modern society
Excerpt from the Book
An Essay on Jean Jacques Rousseau
Jean Jacques Rousseau is one of the most important philosophers of the 18th century and especially a famous critic of modern society. His criticism against modern society is formulated in his work Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (published in 1754). As the title indicates, Rousseau’s criticism is based on the inequality among men which exists in modern society . The following essay will explain Rousseau’s different forms of inequality, how inequality developed from the state of nature and why it exists in modern society.
Rousseau starts his Discourse with a description of state of nature and how men can be characterized in this environment. The natural man is described as a “noble savage” who has two main attributes: pity and self-preservation/self-interest. Pity means an “innate repugnance to see his fellow suffer” (Rousseau: 1754) which is why the natural man would never harm or kill another man if not necessary. Such an action would only become necessary if the natural man's own life is risked and he has to defend himself in order to preserve. Taking this into account it could be said that the savage man nearly can not be distinguished from an animal. As this is can not be the case, Rousseau argues that humans hold reason even if it has not developed yet. This characteristic has to be the cause for the human evolution as people are able to adapt to certain circumstances and a changing environment. In the state of nature men are ultimately free meaning that they are self-governing and as equal as possible, so Rousseau.
Summary of Chapters
An Essay on John Locke: This chapter analyzes Locke’s natural law theory, detailing his view of the state of nature as a condition of freedom and equality, and explains his justification for the social contract and the establishment of a limited government.
An Essay on Jean Jacques Rousseau: This chapter discusses Rousseau’s critique of inequality, tracing the evolution from the primitive "noble savage" to modern society, and highlights the role of property in creating moral and political inequality.
Keywords
John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Natural Law, State of Nature, Social Contract, Political Theory, Inequality, Civil Society, Property, Liberty, Sovereignty, Government, Noble Savage, Liberalism, Philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this work?
The work provides a comparative analysis of the political philosophies of John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, focusing on how both thinkers conceptualize the foundations of society.
What are the central themes discussed in the essays?
The central themes include the nature of human freedom, the transition from a natural state to organized society, the role of property, and the legitimacy of governance.
What is the main objective of the research presented?
The goal is to explain key political concepts such as the state of nature and the social contract through the perspectives of Locke and Rousseau to better understand modern state formation.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach based on literature review and textual interpretation of primary sources, specifically "The Second Treatise of Government" and "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality".
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the definition of natural law, the necessity of the social contract, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate power, and the development of moral and political inequality.
How would you characterize the core keywords?
The keywords reflect the intersection of political science and history, emphasizing terms like "Natural Law," "Social Contract," and "Inequality" that define the respective arguments of the authors.
How does Locke distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate government?
Locke argues that a government is legitimate only when it protects the natural rights of its citizens; if a ruler exercises power for private advantage and ignores these rights, the government becomes tyrannical and loses its authority.
According to Rousseau, how did moral inequality emerge?
Rousseau posits that moral or political inequality emerged alongside the concept of private property, leading to class disparities and a "delusive" social contract that favored the wealthy over the poor.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Torben Arndt (Autor:in), 2015, The Political Theories of Locke and Rousseau, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/451170
