Summary Hoobes + Locke Context for Lord of the Flies

Hobbes

● Humans are guided by self-interest, and only look out for
themselves
● Humans are naturally violent and selfish
● Mankind cannot cooperate
● People only look out for themselves and will do anything to get
what they want
● Humans will subject themselves to authority figures if it means
they will have better lives
● Humans behave in society because they want to belong and are
selfish
● War is natural because the state of nature is a state of war -
humans fight to get what they desire
● Centralized power is used to ensure humans behave

Locke

● Humans are social animals, by nature; we’re free to pursue life,
liberty and health
● Humans treat others as they want to be treated
● Humans exist in a state of moral goodness, freedom and equality
● Conflict exists when humans get worried about their natural
rights, which we try to preserve; life, liberty and health
● Humans give up our rights to take our justice to have
overwhelming and impartial justice from the government
● Humans are social people
● Centralized power isn’t necessary because humans are inherently
good