Hobbes Vs. Rousseau - Who do you think was right?

[acri1]

Figured I'd be nice to have a thread that's not directly related to current events.

For anybody who forgot Philosophy 101, here's a quick summary of their views on human nature -



Basically, Hobbes thought that human beings were naturally evil. Well, evil is too strong of a word, but he thought that human beings were naturally selfish (looking out for their own interests first and foremost) and not hardwired to live together in large political societies. The only way for humans to live together peacefully is to submit to some body of authority that has the power to enforce laws and rules and resolve conflicts.

Rousseau disagrees and feels it doesn't have to be this way. He felt humans were naturally good (or at least, naturally capable of getting along) and that society is what makes them selfish/evil. He thought Hobbes was mistaking the characteristics of his own society for human nature in general. Rousseau believed that modern society (in particular the inequality that results from capitalism) is what resulted in greed, competition, and social division in general.




So, if you had to pick, who do you think was right?

 

[Rawtid]

I’m more with Hobbes. I think people are naturally selfish and will try to look out for themselves first. And there has to be some sort of authority or rules present to make a society work peacefully.