霍布斯、洛克和卢梭之比较.pptVIP

Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau ECON 205W Summer 2006 Prof. Cunningham Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Personal Background Most Important Writings: The Elements of Law (1640) De Cive (The Citizen, 1642) Leviathan (1651) Overall Objectives: To put moral and political philosophy on a scientific basis Contribute to the stability, peace, and welfare of mankind Approach Felt that earlier thinkers (excluding Machiavelli and certain others) had failed because they attempted to base their theories of society on mankind’s highest aspirations. Created a code of natural law as morally binding and determining the purpose of society. Separated his notion of natural law from human perfection. Develops a psychology of human passions or interests. Approach (2) Believed he had uncovered the basis of human behavior and human nature. Used these as assumptions to build his theory. Believes people have competing interests, and this has implications. The “State of Nature.” Implications To prevent chaos, society, though political and economic organization use the force and coercion to hold society together. People ought to be willing to give up the same rights as they expect others to give up, and out to be satisfied with just as much liberty with respect to others as others have with respect to them. Agreement to this by the members of society forms the social contract. Social Contract The social contract is not between the citizens and the ruling power. It is a contract citizens make with each other to accept the rule of central authority. The minority accepts the majority decision. A society so united forms a single body, a commonwealth, a leviathan. Social Contract (2) The ruler is the absolute authority. Parts of the social contract process. Validity of the contact. The contract is binding only if its purpose is fulfilled—i.e., that the citizens are secure. The Sovereign and Citizens Rights of the sovereign: Enforcement of Law Legislative power Judicial power Sovereign is not subject to the laws.