Upon entering the classroom, students are asked to complete the task below, posted on the whiteboard (estimated time, ten to fifteen minutes): Generally, Hobbes had a somewhat negative view of human nature, while Locke’s perspective on human nature was more positive. This introduction to the module is intended for students to understand that political thought and often action are predicated in part on the individual’s perspective about human nature. Module introduction: Human nature, good or bad? Basic understanding of terms and concepts such as sovereignty, consent, order, and liberty is assumed. The assumption is that students will have no prior knowledge of Hobbes and Locke.

The module was written to enable students to have contextual knowledge for understanding the creation of the American political system. Identify Thomas Hobbes’s and John Locke’s contributions to the English Enlightenment.Ĭompare and contrast their beliefs about the state of nature, the best type of government, and the nature of the social contract.Įxplain the concepts of popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, and the social contract, and how these concepts influenced the American Revolution and founding documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. This module is designed to introduce students to the political thought of both men and serves as a bridge to future lessons concerning the Declaration of Independence, the U.S Constitution, and other foundational documents. A number of American founders, familiar with both political philosophers, favored the ideas of Locke, particularly the assertions that men had natural rights, rulers should derive their authority from the consent of the governed, and the governed had the right to overthrow governments that abused their rights.

Thomas Hobbes (April 5, 1588–December 4, 1679) and John Locke (August 29, 1632–October 28, 1704), although in agreement in some of their assertions about human nature and the need for government, held radically different perspectives about the ability of people to govern themselves.

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