Personal Enlightenment Philosophy I would like to know your opinion

Question

Using Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseaus ideas on the social contract/state of nature if you were to write your own state of nature about the world what would it be (1paragraph), what would your social contract/role of the government be? Why should people join the social contract? (1 paragraph), and what would be the rights of the governed?(1 paragraph)

Answer 1

Locke states that man exists in a state of nature, where he is free to do as he pleases.  This leads to chaos, with everyone doing what s/he wants to do.  Rousseau states that in his state of nature, man is a "Noble Savage, both free and equal.  Hobbes sees the state of nature as a state of war.  one could argue that humanity exists in ALL of these states of nature, today.  In many parts of the world, people have been at war for thousands of years (the Middle East, for example).  Many people are considered noble savages, forcing their wills upon others, in order to raise them to their own level of civilization (which may ruin them).  Think US involvement in Third World countries.  As we see, daily, people do as they please and this leads to chaos (ISIS, for example).  The social contract, or role of the government, should be to bring people into harmony, as Rousseau suggested.  This would be best for everyone.

The philosophies stated above, however, were idealized when the world was a smaller place.  They encompass villages, territories, or countries.  Today, we need to think globally.  Though many different governments, and types of governments, exist in the world today, states of war still exist, but on a larger scale.  The strong still prey upon the weak.  One system of government attempts to impose itself upon other, less "noble" systems, ruining them.  Why SHOULD people join a social contract of harmony, ending war and preserving individual rights?  The answer is self-preservation, the essential basis of the state of nature.

A global system of government, one on a larger scale than, say, the United Nations Which isn't a governing body at all), might be the answer.  However, there's no chance of that happening.  Unless, of course, the people of the world realize that, in order to protect both their individual and collective rights, to Life, Liberty, and Property, they need to create a government prepared to protect those rights, FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RACE.  people under this system of government should expect to live freely, without fear of reprisal for criticizing said government.  They should expect to live as they choose, within the contract, without fear of death, or imprisonment,  for their religious or political beliefs.  And they should expect to live long, happy lives in the place of their choice, surrounded by their family, friends, and possessions, without fear of losing any of those things.

 

Whew!  Thanks for making me think this morning, Sierra!

That's my take on it.  Hope it give you some ideas.

 

Good luck!

 

Rich

 

Source: https://www.1215.org/lawnotes/work-in-progress/hlrcomparison/hlrcomparisongrid.htm