Thomas Hobbes

In history we're in progress of learning about the Enlightenment and American Revolution. What caught my attention and intrigue were the philosophes, more so Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rosseau. They both had very different takes on humanity.

Hobbes belived this: that people are naturally cruel, greedy and selfish; that life in the 'state of nature'-without any laws or other control-would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' To escape this life people entered a 'social contract', an agreement to give up the state of nature and enter into an organized society. I would have to say that my own beliefs lie somewhat around here.

more to follow, later...