Discuss to what extent each philosopher’s religious views influenced their thoughts on government and society.

Enlightenment philosophers of the 1600’s argued for several different forms of government

and society, and these perspectives were influenced by a variety of factors. Each

philosophers religious views influenced their thoughts on democracy to a large extent. For

instance, Thomas Hobbes, author of the Leviathan, feared that religion could become a source of civil war. According to the “Thomas Hobbes Worksheet”, (provided to us in the assignment), “Hobbes warned against the church meddling with the kings government. Thus, he advised that the church become a department of the kings government, which would closely control all religious affairs.” This strongly portrays the ideology of how religion affects society, as shown through this citation philosophers such as Hobbes used religion as a factor in making decisions towards their government. Additionally, John Locke, widely known as one of the “most influential Enlightenment thinkers” sided with the protestant parliament against the King. In reference to the “John Locke Worksheet” (provided to us in the assignment,) “Locke’s siding with the parliament reduced the power of the king and made the parliament the major authority in English government.” Therefore, Locke’s religious views largely influenced the society in which he hoped for, as it eventually allowed for the parliament to become a major aspect of overall government.

Examine the critiques that have been provided of both philosophers and write a statement explaining why you agree or disagree with these claims.

Both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were philosophers that developed their own

perspectives on how the government and democracy should rule. Personally, I agree

with the claims of John Locke over those of Hobbes, in which state that all persons

are given basic rights to life, own property, and revolt against unjust governments.

“KIDS PHILOSOPHY SLAM -Philosopher of the Week.” 20136thGrade2ndPlace

Discuss the impact the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution may have had on the development of each man’s philosophy.

  Both the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution brought

various ideas regarding major changes in government. These events

are commonly known as the age of enlightenment, a period in which

European politics, philosophy, science, and communications were

radically reoriented. History.com Staff. “Enlightenment.” History.com, A&E

Television Networks, 2009. Therefore, since this time period opened the

eyes of philosophers, the current events of the English Civil War and

the revolution had a huge impact on the development of each man’s

philosophy. For instance, According to the “Thomas Hobbes Worksheet”,

(provided to us in the assignment), “Enlightenment philosophers John

Locke, Charles Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau all developed

theories of government in which some or even all the people would govern.

These thinkers had a profound effect on the American and French revolutions

and the democratic governments they produced.” Consequently, the theories

they developed and effects they produced were influenced by the current events

happening during their time, thus being the English Civil war and the

Glorious Revolution.

Based on your research, write an essay explaining which philosophers ideas would be most useful today. Provide evidence to back up your claim.

Both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes are famous historical figures known for their

countering philosophies during the Enlightenment Period, which was when European

politics, philosophy, science, and communications were radically reoriented.

Enlightenment philosophers developed theories of how government and society

should rule, and although Locke and Hobbes agreed on the brutality of the state of

nature, they disagreed on major points involving natural rights to life and the king.

In modern day society, John Locke's ideas would be most useful to our people and

our system of government.

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, scientist, and historian best known

for his book the Leviathan, which depicts his theories in philosophy. Sorell, Tom.

“Thomas Hobbes.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 29 Mar. 2018. He

believed in an absolute monarchy method of governing, and felt that placing all

power in the hands of the king would be the most ethical decision to make.

According to the “Thomas Hobbes Worksheet”, (provided to us in the assignment),

Hobbes believed the only way to escape the state of nature, that he disagreed with,

would be for individuals to create some supreme power to impose peace on everyone.

This implied agreement wouldn’t meet the needs of modern day society, as our

people want to represent themselves.

John Locke was a professor who studied medicine at Oxford University. According to the “John Locke Worksheet” (provided to us in the assignment), Locke sided with the Parliament against the king, which eventually reduced the power of the king and made the parliament the main focus of English government. Locke is commonly known as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, and is famous for his theories regarding natural rights. He believed these were basic rights that had already existed in nature, and that they can never be given up or taken away by any individual, not even the king. Locke's theories were used later in history by Thomas Jefferson to write the declaration of independence.

Since our country already follows the Declaration, it makes the most logical sense to claim Locke’s philosophies would be more useful today. In today's society, one of the people's biggest concerns is their freedom and their natural rights. Being that Locke shares these same values, it would be a bigger use to the country to have his philosophies over Hobbes. If we used Hobbes systems and ideas, the country would be more like a dictatorship, which would not flow smoothly. As been noted, people in today's society care about their rights and do not want to be controlled by a harsh strict government. Hobbes philosophies would not do justice today, there would be many people who would be very unhappy, which would most likely lead to a political outburst with many revolts and protests.

All in all, the philosophies of John Locke would be a better fit for today's society than those of Thomas Hobbes, however both of these historical figures largely contributed to our history. Without their ideas, our country could be a different place today.

Choose one modern day leader who you believe follows Locke’s philosophy and one modern day leader who follows Hobbes philosophy. Describe what characteristics each leader possesses that leads you to believe he/she follows the specific philosophy. Discuss any historical circumstances surrounding each leader that might have influenced him/her to choose to lead using this particular philosophy.

One modern day leader who follows Locke’s philosophy would be Pope Francis.

Pope Francis believes in the  natural rights of individuals and wants to ensure

equality amongst people, similarly to Locke. According to the article “What

should our political leaders take away from Pope Francis’ Visit, “The

teachings of this pope or any religious leader may at times align with the

secular commandment to "form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure

domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare

and secure the blessings of liberty." This secular commandment resembles that of what's

written in Jefferson’s theories in the declaration of independence, which

was inspired by the ideologies of Locke. When the Pope has to make important

decisions regarding the church, these “natural rights” are kept in mind, thereby

portraying a historical circumstance in which he is influenced to make decisions

using this philosophy.  Additionally, one modern day leader who follows Hobbes

philosophy would be Kim Jong Un, dictator of North Korea. Hobbes believed that

the best form of government was that of an absolute monarchy, and he feared any

other factors that would interfere with that way of government. For example,

Hobbes believed religion could become a source of civil war, thus he advised that the

church become a department of the kings government. This fear of interference of an

already strict system is that in which a modern day dictator does today, therefore justifies

how Hobbes and Un rule similarly.

Work Cited

 Citations

“KIDS PHILOSOPHY SLAM -Philosopher of the Week.” 20136thGrade2ndPlace

History.com Staff. “Enlightenment.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009,

www.history.com/topics/enlightenment.

Sun, Baltimore. “What Should Our Political Leaders Take Away from Pope Francis' Visit?”

Baltimoresun.com, 25 Sept. 2015

, www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-pope-francis-20150926-story.html.

Sorell, Tom. “Thomas Hobbes.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia

Britannica, Inc., 29 Mar. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Hobbes.

The thomas hobbes worksheet (provided to us)

The John Locke workskeet (Provided to us)