Leiden University Student Repository

Beijk, Justus (2015)

Social contract theory and resistance

Bachelor thesis | Wijsbegeerte (BA)

This thesis concerns the social contract theory of Hobbes and Locke. The question that will be answered here is whether there is any room for resisting the social contract in their respective theories, and if so, whether this is problematic for their theories. The thesis begins by giving a historical background to Hobbes and Locke and then moves on to problems concerning Hobbes' theory of the social contract and self-defense against the state. Following Hobbes we look at Locke's theory and the problem of the initiation of the social contract. In conclusion this thesis looks at the possibilities of maintaining a social contract even if they are found to be problematic through a synthesis of the theories discussed.

Social

Contract

Hobbes

Locke

Resistance

Author

Beijk, Justus

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Ethiek en Politieke filosofie

Supervisors

Newey, Glenn

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en