The Arts and Royalty; Philosophers Debate Politics

The Arts and Royalty; Philosophers Debate Politics

• The philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke disagreed on the understanding of political authority, with Locke taking what is commonly called the “liberal” view. Choose a side (be brave perhaps; take a side you actually disagree with). Using the writings of each given in our class text or at the Websites below, make your case for the side you chose and against the other side. Identify one (1) modern situation in the world where these issues are significant.

Philosophers Debate Politics

• Chapter 24 (pp. 768-9)
• Hobbes: text at http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/hobbes/leviathan-contents.html; summary at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes-moral/; also http://jim.com/hobbes.htm
• Locke: text at http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/Locke-2ndTreatise.html; General background of the concept at http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/pdfs/unit1_12.pdf