Philosophers Flashcards
What is the book Thomas Hobbes wrote and the terms he coined?
Leviathan (1651)
“Nasty, brutish, and short”
What is Hobbes view on human nature?
Negative, people born with passion and reason but also self interest.
Self interest = bad
What did Hobbes believe?
Society needs a stable government to keep people in order.
NO FREEDOM AND SECURITY AT THE SAME TIME
What is the book John Locke wrote and the term he coined?
The second treatise on civil government.
“Tabula rasa”
What was Locke’s view on human nature?
Positive. People are born reasonable and cooperative.
What are Locke’s 3 natural rights?
“Life, liberty, property”
What did Locke believe?
Governments purpose is to protect individual rights and freedom.
What is Rousseau’s view on human nature?
People are born good but are corrupted by society. Everyone was naturally free and equal.
What was the book Rousseau wrote and his natural right?
“Emile”
Equality over Liberty
What did Rousseau’s believe?
Democracy, and private property/inequality leads to jealousy and corruption
What did Rousseau think about government?
Government gains the right to rule from the people that they govern
What was the book that Montesquieu wrote?
“Spirit of Laws” (1748)
What did Montesquieu do to the government?
Split into 3 branches:
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judiciary
What was Montesquieu’s idea of government?
Government is too powerful, need to split it to keep each other in check.
What was the book that Voltaire wrote and his most famous quote?
“Candide”
“Crush the infamous thing”
What did Voltaire favour?
“Enlightened monarch”
What did Voltaire believe in?
Freedom of speech and thought and religion
What was the book write by Adam Smith? What was his nickname?
“Wealth of nations” (1776)
“Father of capitalism”
What did Adam smith believe about economy?
Should be self run (invisible hand theory)
What was Adam Smith’s view on human nature?
Humans naturally pursue self interest and it is beneficial for society as a whole. (Competition)
What did Quesnay write?
“Laissez faire”
What did Quesnay think of government?
Government regulation interfered with natural operation of business.
What did Quesnay believe?
Land should be taxed, not trade.
