Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke : Interpretations of Human Nature Essay

Through eon people have always wondered what it is that makes us who we are. It has been our military personnel nature that has kept us intrigued with ourselves, and our relationships with others. With this curiosity came various interpretations as to our tender-hearted nature, each changing the way we see the societal world we live in. With each interpretation came a new understanding of people and the relationship they prolong with each other. Human nature has been one of the most studied elements of the world we live in. From our nature came the interest of how we as humans interact with each other, through the development of our nature some have served and others had ruled. Three philosophers that have focused their political ideas around human nature have given a deeper import to their study of politics through the understanding of human nature. Each one of them had a distinctive interpretation of what human nature was and how it impacted the politics of the limited society that they envisioned. It is hard to say that one of them holds the answers to the true essence of human nature but one can say that each of them has given an fire and strong piece of the puzzle that has linked human nature to politics. The three philosophers in question are Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I will be referring to them by their last name for simplicity. Starting with the philosophical views of each man we will see how they differ. It will be clear that each mans idea comes from a very different perspective on human nature. Thomas Hobbes thoughts on human nature derive from his childhood. According to Jean Hampton who wrote, She brought gibe to birth, myself and fear at the same time (282) Hobbes believed that fear... ...fear. Lockes idea that everyone is born free is good for societies that have no established governments because even in his time there was a government. In biblical times his idea would be right on but the tran sformation of peoples ideas has lead the changes in natural freedom. No one can control where they are born so they may be born in a non so free state. Finally Rousseaus idea that man is naturally good but corrupted by institutions is somewhat flawed because everyone makes choices to do or not do so people become corrupt through the choices they make in life. Through all this no one philosopher has the right answer to human nature but when we combine their ideas we get a solid way to a good solution that benefits many.Works CitedCahn, Steven M.. Political philosophy the essential texts. second ed. New York Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.