Science evolved dramatically during this time period, particularly during the mid 16th century in the Scientific Revolution. Old scientific ideas of the Greeks and Romans were replaced with new concepts based on an empirical approach. Learn more and engage students with lessons and activities with Storyboard That.
Age of Enlightenment Scientific Revolution- Hobbes Leviathan Vs. Locke Natural Rights - T chart image
Storyboard Text
Locke's Natural Rights
Locke
Reasonable people can create their own governments.
I'm sorry you disagree with the tax codes...how can we improve them?
Hobbes' Leviathan
Hobbes
"Their lives will be nasty, brutish, and short"
#@!*
&%$*!
According to Locke, people are reasonable. They are born with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Governments must protect those rights...or be overthrown.
"The best kind of government is..."
I'm sure we can compromise.
According to Hobbes, people are not reasonable. They are born with selfish, nasty inclinations. Governments exist to keep human beings from killing each other.
"The best kind of government is..."
DEMOCRACY!
Indeed! Elections are coming soon.
We must rule with the consent of the people!
ABSOLUTE MONARCHY!
Fighting in the streets?! The punishment is death!
Government by popular consent was the motivation for the Atlantic Revolutions and the foundation of modern democracies.
Hobbes' view that the only way to maintain order was through absolute rule also persists. Many 21st century authoritarian governments justify their action with Hobbesian arguments.