Social Contract Theory of John Locke, Sample of Essays.
The social contract theory has been in existence for a very long time, right from the days of Plato (380BC) to John Rawls of the 20th century. The social contract bears the responsibility of both citizen and government and is introduced to protect an already peaceful society, or to form one. It is associated with modern political theory.
In the 17th century, John locke provided the idea of a social contract theory through his philosophical writings. This theory was that in the beginning of time, man lived in the state of nature. They had no government, so they had no laws or rules to regulate their daily lives.
Another famous social contract philosopher is John Locke. He tried to give a description of the ethical theory using the nature of state. He describes the state of nature, as completely unbearable thus rational men may be willing to submit themselves to absolute authority or escape from them completely.
This reader introduces students of philosophy and politics to the contemporary critical literature on the classical social contract theorists: Thomas Hobbes (1599-1697), John Locke (1632-1704), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Twelve thoughtfully selected essays guide students through the texts, familiarizing them with key elements of the theory, while at the same time introducing them.
John Locke had a different approach as to the kind of place the State of Nature is, and consequently his argument concerning the Social Contract and the relationship between men and authority varies. According to Locke, the State of Nature is the natural condition of mankind.
Essay Instructions: Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper in which you analyze the social contract theory of John Locke and how the values identified are consistent with the criminal justice system and private security settings. Do these values and principles apply to both venues??Summarize the major differences of the social contract theories.?What are the key principles associated with Locke?s.
Adapting the traditional social contract approach of earlier years to a more contemporary use, John Rawls initiated an unparaleled revitalization of social philosophy. Instead of arguing for the justification of civil authority or the form that it should take, Professor Rawls is more interested in the principles that actuate basic social institutions —he presupposes authority and instead.