answer

 

Use the PDF Chart over the philosophers to answer the following:

Which philosophers contributed to the thoughts and writings of Thomas Jefferson?

Do you see any particular evidence that suggests Jefferson use some of the same material and thoughts from the philosophers?

What is the difference between a Social Contract and an Implied Contract?

Which of the statements refer to citizens and their voting rights?

PoliticalPhilosophers Who Influenced The Founding Fathers

Book Preferred Form of

Government

Life in the

“State of Nature” Natural Rights Theory of Government

Thomas Hobbes
1588-1679 Leviathan Absolute Monarchy

Human behavior is
built on egoism, or
self-interest, which is
the root of all social
conflict.

Freedom, equality
(can be forfeited)

“Implied Contract”
People give up freedom &
equality to government in
exchange for order and security –
must obey; no right to revolt.

John Locke
1632-1704

The Second
Treatise of Civil

Government

Constitutional

Monarchy

(property owners
have right to vote)

Brutal, because
passions overrule
man’s natural
goodness

Life, Liberty,
Equality, & Property

(inalienable)

“Social Contract”
Government can only govern with
the consent of the governed.
People must agree on who their
rulers will be. Government is
limited. People have a right to
revolt against a government.

Charles
Montesquieu

1689-1775
The Spirit of Laws Republic

Timid, fearful
individuals unite for
strength; this strong
society then tends to
war on the weaker
individuals & groups.

Does not deal with
this concept

Function of Government is to
maintain law & order, protect
political liberty and individual’s
property. Abuse of power by
government is avoided by
separation of powers and checks
and balances.

David Hume
1711-1776

A Treatise of
Human Nature Republic

Man is not entirely
self-serving; seeks
balance

Free Speech is
essential

A constitution is needed to
prevent bad government.

Jean-Jacques
Rousseau
1712-1778

The Social Contract Direct Democracy

Man was born free,
equal, and happy.
Property ownership
leads to inequality &
violence.

Liberty, equality –
property is a fraud
on the poor by the
rich.

“Social Contract”
Government is the instrument for
carrying out the people’s laws –
the people are sovereign, the
government is not. Laws are
arrived at by direct debate and
vote, majority rules, and full
citizen participation is critical.