Compare and Contrast the Views on Human and Governmental Nat
During the 17th and 18th centuries Europe entered a period of Enlightenment. This period denounced and rejected the Aristotelian view of Scholasticism that still dominated Renaissance Europe, and brought forth a fresh view on the world through rationalization and logic. John Locke (1632-1704) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) both revolutionized human-nature and political thought during this period. Despite the similarity of being pro constitutionalism, their achievements exposed different ideas. In his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Locke explored the function of the human mind. He symbolized birth as a Tabula Rosa (blank tablet), and argued that there existed no innate ideas; all knowledge is derived from direct sensual experiences. He also denied the existence of intrinsic moral norms. He believed moral ideas to be the product of people's free acts of self-discipline so that conflict in conscience may be avoided and happiness attained. Locke was very religious as well. At no point did he ever try to eradicate the Church's teachings. In fact, one of his believes was of Deism, the belief that Christian teachings were identical to those of uncorrupted reason. To him, a rational person would always live according to
It was in this idea that Locke and Rousseau agreed in their views. Here he opposed the argument, given by Sir Robert Filmer and Thomas Hobbs, absolute monarchies. He drew into question the concepts of material and intellectual progress and the morality of a society in which commerce and industry were regarded as the most important human activities. Both these men transformed the social and political world into the one of today. These served as the inspiration for the American and French revolutions. He, however, firmly denied toleration to Catholics and atheists, and sanctified a variety of Protestant sects. Rousseau picked up the stick from the other end. Later on, five years later, Rousseau blamed much of the evil in the world on the uneven distribution of poverty. He maintained that both kings and fathers were bound by the law of nature. He stated in his second treatise that the voice of reason teaches that "all mankind [is] equal and independent, and that no one ought to harm another" as all humans are made in the image of God (John Locke, Two Treatises of Government, ed. John Locke was the most influential political thinker of the 17th century. In his works Rousseau brilliantly and directly challenged the social fabrics of the day. Peardon (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1952), Ch. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, more than any other writer of his time, transcended the political thought and values of the mid 18th century.
Common topics in this essay:
Arts Sciences,
Tabula Rosa,
John Locke,
Jean-Jacques Rousseau,
According Locke,
Sir Filmer,
Spirit Laws,
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Thomas Hobbs,
Social Contract,
john locke,
jean-jacques rousseau,
social contract,
regarded human,
treatises government,
law nature,
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