Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature is driven by self-interest and the desire to avoid pain. He thought that without strong central authority, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short" due to conflicts between self-interested humans. Hobbes advocated for absolute government control to maintain order and prevent chaos in society.

1. Thomas Hobbes<br />(1588-1679)<br />Beliefs about Human Nature:<br />Thomas Hobbes believes that humans are physical objects and machines and all of the functions of humans can be described and explained in mechanic terms. Specific discomforts or pain happens in human bodies but according to Hobbes we as humans must overcome them. Therefore humans are motivated to act in way we believe will relieve the pain or discomfort. Thomas Hobbes believes that humans are free and that their activities are not controlled by anyone else. He believes that we should live independently of everyone else acting only in regards for ourselves even if it causes other people harm. Life is short, brutal and nasty. <br />Interpretations of Human History:<br />Thomas Hobbes believed that life was out to get all humans. He was pessimistic and believed that the world’s history was full of conflicts and wars because humans are evil and can’t get along because they don’t care about their consequences or harming other people.<br />Beliefs About How Society Should Be Structured:<br />Thomas Hobbes believed that because humans are so evil and out to get each other, we need strong leaders that don’t let anything get by their laws that were set. Everyone needs a legitimate government. He believed that having a strong central authority was important to prevent chaos among the society. <br />Visions for the Future:<br />Hobbes visions for the future were; that there would be an absolute government and everything and anything would be controlled by the government. There would be less chaos and conflicts making life a little bit more bearable. <br />John Locke(1632-1704)<br />Beliefs about Human Nature:<br />John Locke believes that humans are driven by both emotions and reason and that human’s are both selfish but can also care about other people as well. Human beings are completely free and should not be under any government control. <br />Interpretations of Human History:<br />Locke believes that humans were under complete government control. People were like slaves to the governments and didn’t have the option to make their own choices. <br />Beliefs About How Society Should Be Structured:<br />John Locke is known as the father of liberalism. He believes that all men are equal and independent and have a right to defend their life, health, liberty and possessions. He believes that there should be a government only to enforce laws and regulations to keep society running smoothly. He doesn’t believe the government should take away human beings choices that they are entitled to. <br />Visions for the Future:<br />John Locke’s vision for the future is that the government would only be in place to keep conflicts to a minimum. They would not take away choices or force human beings to do anything that has to do with moral decisions. He believes that the government should stay out of citizen’s lives and choices as much as they can.<br />11144250<br />Jean-Jacques Rousseau<br />(1712-1778)<br />Beliefs about Human Nature:<br />Man is essentially good, but good people are made unhappy and corrupted by their experiences in society. He thought society was fake and corrupt. He also believed that as society advances, human beings get unhappy. He believes that advancement in science and technology does not do any good for mankind. He believes that material progress of knowledge had undermined sincere friendship; instead we have jealousy fear and suspicion. <br />Interpretations of Human History:<br />Humans were corrupted by government and rules. He said “The whole history of civilization a betrayal.” As things advances in the past it ruined civilization because it made people feel like they were better than others, causing inequalities. <br />Beliefs About How Society Should Be Structured:<br />Rousseau believes that there should be a civil society voluntarily formed by its citizens and run and ruled to the communities general will. This is known as true sovereignty. True sovereignty can overrule the want of the individual or group only if it will benefit the society as a whole. <br />Visions for the Future:<br />Jean-Jacques Rousseau believes in the future there should be a communist moral government and he would’ve liked to see every man free and respected.<br />