Question

briefly explain What is a key difference between Hobbes’s theory and Rousseau’s theory?

Answer 1

• Hobbes based his theory on the assumption that human nature is naturally competitive and violent,while Rousseau's theory focused on the state of natural man who is living in harmony with nature and in a better situation.
• Hobbes state of nature represented a state of war and he belived that humans beings in the state of nature were only concerned with their own desires.Human nature was selfish.And this desire to acquire power never ended,and lead to state of war where everyone was trying to ensure that no one can stop them from fulfilling their desires,creating a situation of fear and violence.
• This caused the need to have an authority which would enforce laws of nature and help humans to achieve their desires in a more efficient and moral way.This led to signing of social contract between men and leading to the formation of a state and sovereign.His sovereign had absolute authority.
• Rousseau considered society to not be civil at all giving rise to corruption and negative feelings the man's mind.Hobbes believed in transformation of man,but Rousseau didnt.
• According to Rousseau moral sense can only be born in society,a society needs to be stablished which not only preserves the liberty of the state of nature but also provides means to achieve moral freedom.So a social contract is needed which would work for the general will which will protect individual liberty leading to removal of political,social and economic inequality.