Hobbes, Locke, and Bossuet
French bishop
Tutor to the dauphin
Book: The Principles of Politics Derived from the Bible
Absolute monarchy best
Kingdom of God/Jesus
Ancient and natural monarchy
Advantageous—long term good
President (reelection)
Religious backbone
King choose religion
Freedom important
What is freedom?
Strong authority or
When everyone does what he/she wants
Weakness to argument: kings take the best and use them
*advocated strong government
English writer and philosopher
Tutor to Charles II
Book: Leviathan
How and why government is formed
Look at man’s life in state of nature
(solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, short)
We don’t stay in the state of nature
Make a covenant or contract
Sacrifice freedom for Leviathan
Stronger government=better life and protection
Monarchy best
Everyone selfish
Want a government that will appeal to selfishness
In being selfish—benefit him and people
Government can’t be changed
Like a brick building
No individual has the right to withdraw
Monarch allowed to choose religion
Externals of religion no difference to God
Some religious rules unify people
*recent history of England proves this
*advocated strong government
English philosopher
Psychologist
Brief, very important works
1688 English King removed
people should look at life in state of nature
Natural rights
Rights given by God, not government
Right to life
Right to liberty (and limitation)
Right to equality
No right to rule others
Right to property
Right to contract
Agreements with each other
Marriage
Right to reparation and restraint
Protect other rights
Give government reparation and restraint right: let them protect
Government should not violate rights
People should be able to change government if violate
rights
Kind of government the preserves best
Executive and legal need to be separate
Further limitation—mistake to dictate religion
*one of first advocates of toleration
The Reasonableness of Christianity
Fair opportunity in the idea market-Christianity
Only thing stopping the truth is forced oppression
“we hold these truths to be self-evident”
*advocated limited government