view on human nature

• what was john locke‘s social contract theory?


  consent based government,

  humans gave consent to the government to govern and protect rights

  individuals can overthrow the government or take back their consent if they feel as if their rights are being protected and the government isnt fulfilling its duty
• what did adam smith talk about and define the concept?


  social darwinism

  survival of the fittest

  he was arguably a classical liberal in the 18-19th century and believed that despite the rapid growth in social and economic inequality, only the strongest will survive

  minimal state intervention during industrialisation
• all agree that humans are

  rational
• they all believe that we shouldnt unthinkingly accept decisions from higher authorities
• all believed we should discover knowledge individually
• classical liberals emphasized the pursuit of

  self interest
• modern liberals emphasize


  moral principes
• however, how did john locke differ from other classical liberals


  believed that it was not just about self interest, believed that rationality is a fundamental human ability and is essential for knowledge
• what did john locke argue knowledge comes from

  experience
• what was john locke’s blank state concept


  believed humans start life with no determined ideas, we gain the ideas through experience and critical thinkinf
• john locke said we use the god given reason to recognize the natural laws that give us the rights to life liberty and property
• what did wolstencraft argue about human nature?


  similar to locke, she argued that humans are rational

  but she argued that women are also included
• what did adam smith emphasize?


  Free market economics,

  the self interest view

  he believed that rational self interest leads to the greater good
• how did john Rawls view reason? 


  he saw it as critical to achieving justice

  concept: the veil of ignorance
• what was Rawles veil of ignorance concept?

  that individuals should imagine that they dont know where and what they are in society (poor, rich, white, black, straight, gay etc) to ensure a more just society
• what did all liberals agree about individualism and rationality?


  they believed it implied a belief in human autonomy
• what did both locke and mill emphasize the role of for shaping individual character?


  education