AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
THEORIES ON HUMAN NATURE
The Age of Enlightenment occurred during the 18th century, and is considered to be a major turning point in the history of the western world due to the new ideas that influential thinkers were expressing at the time. More specifically, Enlightenment thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau brought forward contrasting views on many different aspects of society, including: views on human nature, and the role of the government. This article deals with the different theories related to human nature that emerged from the Enlightenment.
There are three main thinkers that philosophers and historians look back on when considering the Enlightenment and views on human nature; Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Each of the three discussed their differing views on the natural state of human beings in their writing. For example, in his famous work, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes argued that people in their natural state were more bad than good. Specifically, he stated that people lived in a constant state of fear and always acted in their own self-interest. As such, Hobbes viewed people as naturally greedy and violent with a complete lack of morals. He believed that without a strong central authority the life of man would be "nasty, brutish and short".
In contrast, John Locke had a much more positive view of human nature. Locke believed that people were naturally cooperative and reasonable and, if given the opportunity, would work well with each other towards a common goal. He did not agree with Hobbes in the need for a strong central authority and instead argued that people had basic morals that would guide their behaviour. In fact, since he believed that people were naturally good, he stated the necessity for them to have a role in deciding the leadership of the society.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau offered yet another perspective on human nature. He believed that people were born good but that society corrupted our basic human nature. He famously stated that "man is born free yet everywhere is in chains". By this he was stating his belief that people are born good natured but that the conditions of an organized and civilized society corrupted our basic intentions. His main issue with 'civilized societies' was the class divisions that existed, which in his time were related to life under feudalism. He argued that these class divisions, caused people to lose sight of their basic human nature and instead become competitive.
There are three main thinkers that philosophers and historians look back on when considering the Enlightenment and views on human nature; Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Each of the three discussed their differing views on the natural state of human beings in their writing. For example, in his famous work, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes argued that people in their natural state were more bad than good. Specifically, he stated that people lived in a constant state of fear and always acted in their own self-interest. As such, Hobbes viewed people as naturally greedy and violent with a complete lack of morals. He believed that without a strong central authority the life of man would be "nasty, brutish and short".
In contrast, John Locke had a much more positive view of human nature. Locke believed that people were naturally cooperative and reasonable and, if given the opportunity, would work well with each other towards a common goal. He did not agree with Hobbes in the need for a strong central authority and instead argued that people had basic morals that would guide their behaviour. In fact, since he believed that people were naturally good, he stated the necessity for them to have a role in deciding the leadership of the society.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau offered yet another perspective on human nature. He believed that people were born good but that society corrupted our basic human nature. He famously stated that "man is born free yet everywhere is in chains". By this he was stating his belief that people are born good natured but that the conditions of an organized and civilized society corrupted our basic intentions. His main issue with 'civilized societies' was the class divisions that existed, which in his time were related to life under feudalism. He argued that these class divisions, caused people to lose sight of their basic human nature and instead become competitive.