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Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1678)
developed a social contract
theory that legitimized
absolutism, but also features
some fundamental ideas of
liberalism: individual rights,
equality, and the legitimization of
government through consent of
the people.
The Sovereign
According to Hobbes, the
sovereign can be an individual
or an assembly and is the
source of law and property right.
The most important feature of
the sovereign is the power to
enforce the law.
The Sovereign
Because the sovereign itself is
not part of the social contract,
rebellion against government
seems to amount to a return to
the state of nature.
Therefore, Hobbes social
contract theory seems to justify
absolutism.
Contractarianism
In contemporary moral philosophy,
neo-Hobbesian moral philosopher
David Gauthier (born 1932) sees
morality as emerging from rational
principles that promote long-term
self-interest.
Actions are morally wrong, if they
violate such principles.
In Gauthiers contractarianism,
moral standards result from
agreement among rational
individuals.
Property
For Locke, Gods plan for the
world included a system of
private property.
In the state of nature,
accumulation of property,
however, is limited.
The property accumulated
cannot spoil, there must be
enough for others, and
accumulation of property cannot
be harmful to others.
Property
The great and chief end of men
uniting into commonwealths, and
putting themselves under
governments, is the preservation
of their property.
Government
Locke does not specify a
particular form of government. A
legitimate social contract could
exists in form of a republic, but
also between citizens and a
monarchy.
whatever form the Commonwealth is under, the Ruling
Power ought to govern by
declared and received laws, and
not by extemporary dictates and
undetermined resolutions."
Government
Lockes branches of government
are themselves part of the social
contract.
The government is entrusted
with protecting the natural rights
of citizens.
If the government (or any branch
of government) defaults on its
obligation to do so, then it can
be dissolved.
In Lockes theory contrary to
Hobbes rebellion is justified.
There are certain rights that all people have by nature, regardless of
background, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, etc.
2.
3.
These natural rights (or human rights) form the basis for morality.
Actions that violate natural rights (human rights) are always morally
wrong, regardless of the circumstances.
Examples of Natural
Rights Thinking
Article 1 of the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights states that [a]ll human
beings are born free and equal
in dignity and rights.
Examples of Natural
Rights Thinking
The Geneva Conventions
encompass a number of treaties
that establish international law
for the humanitarian treatment of
the victims of war.
Welfare Rights
So-called welfare rights are
rights to goods or services,
for example, the right to
financial aid for qualified
students.
Because welfare rights are
rights given by society, they
do NOT qualify as natural
rights.
Liberty Rights
So-called liberty rights (also
called privacy rights) are rights
to non-interference, rights not to
be messed with in pursuit of
your interests.
Liberty Rights
For instance, the right to
education is the right not to be
excluded from the pursuit of
education, due to race, gender,
age, etc.
ONLY LIBERTY RIGHTS can
qualify as natural rights.
Evaluating Natural
Rights Ethics
Natural Rights Ethics cannot
help with moral decisions
regarding the ethical treatment
of animals.
Evaluating Natural
Rights Ethics
Natural Rights Ethics cannot
help with moral decisions
regarding the protection of the
environment (environmental
ethics).