Question

Based on your readings and in-class discussions, choose which Enlightenment-era philosopher you feel has the most correct view on both the role of government in society and in describing man's "natural state". Be sure to refer directly to the information you have read/discussed and compare your chosen philosopher with the views of another philosopher. In what ways have this philosopher's ideas been incorporated into the US government?

Answer 1

Answer:

Among the several Enlightenment-era influential philosophers, I believe that John Locke is the one who better understood politics, and has the best conception of man's natural state. Plus, he was influential in the US political thought during the Revolution Era.

Explanation:

John Locke theorized that the man, once living in the natural state, it's free, but he doesn't feel himself safe. Then, the man makes a contract with a superior authority - the State - to promote him the necessary goods. However, this contract address that the State shouldn't interfere on the man's business. It's only duty was to promote social development. Once the government didn't follow the contract, man could take off the governor and elect another one. This principle was crucial in the development of the US political thought. If we compare Locke with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, for instance, we can see that Locke has a better conception about politics, and in several ways, Locke's view is more realistic. Rousseau had a romanticized point of view about society, and according to him, humans are strictly good, and they enjoy to live in the community.