TASK 2: COMPARING AND CONTRASTING HOBBES AND LOCKE In this unit, you studied the ideas of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. In this task, you’ll complete activities to compare and contrast each man’s theories about the best form of government.
Part A
Select the correct text in the passage.
Read this excerpt from Hobbes’ work Leviathan. Which portion of the text demonstrates that Thomas Hobbes supported an absolute ruler?
It is true that certain living creatures, as bees and ants, live sociably one with another (which are therefore by Aristotle numbered amongst political creatures), and yet have no other direction than their particular judgements and appetites; nor speech, whereby one of them can signify to another what he thinks [good] for the common benefit: and therefore some man may perhaps desire to know why mankind cannot do the same. To which I answer,
(A) First, that men are continually in competition for honour and dignity . . . and consequently amongst men there ariseth on that ground, envy, and hatred, and finally war; but amongst these not so. . . . Lastly, the agreement of these creatures is natural; (B) that of men is by [contract] only, which is artificial: and therefore it is no wonder if there be somewhat else required, besides [contract], to make their agreement constant and lasting; which is a common power to keep them in awe and to direct their actions to the common benefit.
(C) The only way to erect such a common power, as may be able to defend them from the invasion of foreigners, and the injuries of one another . . . is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of men, that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of voices, unto one will: which is as much as to say, to appoint one man, or assembly of men, to bear their person; and every one to own and acknowledge himself to be author of whatsoever he that so beareth their person shall act, or cause to be acted, in those things which concern the common peace and safety; and therein to submit their wills, every one to his will, and their judgements to his judgement.
Enter the letter of the correct answer here: