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Modern Philosophy Discussion

Thomas Hobbes claimed that we live under a social contract, in which we give up some rights to the government in order to protect the rest of our rights. For example, we give up our right to kill people in return for the government protecting us from being killed or, should it happen, punishing the killer.

John Locke claimed that we only loan rights to the government, which can be taken back via the ballot box or, if necessary, by revolution if the goverment governs against the people. Furthermore, he claimed that people had "certain inalienable rights" such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of property (in the sense that one has the right not to have one's property confiscated). How did these ideas radically change the world, which had mostly been ruled by royalty who inherited titles and claimed a divine right to rule?

1) These ideas changed the world by taking power from a small group of people who were only in power because of bloodline. Some of the royalty of the time only did what was right for them and did nothing for the people. The idea of a democracy gave the power to the people of the society.

By giving the power to the people we are able to place the right people into power and remove the people who are not doing right for the people. When we live under a social contract by giving up some rights to be protected from others does work to an extent as long as the balance of give and take is equal. When the government tries to take more than they give then it is time for a change.

2) This idea of having inalienable rights drastically changed society. This idea lays a foundation for democracy, instead of being held under a monarchy. This allows society to be what the people want and not what one person sees fit. It allows society to always be changing, which makes our society revolutionary. Democracy minimizes are society to stay unchanging and encourages the people to make our country what they want.

This positive effect is clear in many ways and shapes the rising generations to be strong in their beliefs and to be "go-getter." The world is constantly changing and this ensures that the rules can change with it, as the people see fit. For example, not even a 100 years ago slavery was an acceptable social norm, but due to the people having the ability to voice their opinions this was changed. The people where able to vote the President they wanted, who started the transition to end slavery.

3) Class,
This is just a reminder that to gain full points in Discussions you need at least one original post (for the first 3 points), then two responses to your peers (1st response is worth 3 points and the 2nd response is worth 4 points). The original post must be at least a paragraph and the responses can not be simply agreeing and restating the original post.
I sincerely want you to get as many points possible!
Onward!
Lana.

4) I believe these ideas have changed and influenced the ideas of specifically democracy. We have natural innate rights which John Lock touched on as well. We do not necessarily give up our natural rights, because we have constitutional rights and so forth. But I believe we give our rights to the government so that they can create laws and rights to protect its citizens as a whole. There is a larger aspect to this such as economical benefits, and so forth. I view it as a method of bettering society as a whole. Because in the end we all live together, and the government helps to provide safety and fairness among the people.

Contemporary Philosophy Discussion

As people with very different ideas about reality increasingly live in close proximity to each other, how do we balance the individual's right to their own perspective with those who disagree? This is particularly important when it comes to areas in which viewpoints are mutually exclusive.

For example, in the case of allowing people who feel they have the obligation to do so to arrange a marriage for a child who doesn't want to be in the arranged marriage because they feel who they want to be with is their own choice, both cannot have their way. Another example, in the case of whether public resources should be used for parks or not, we can't both fund parks and not fund them. Postmodernity tends to try to view different perspectives on the same level, but the reality is that these views can collide, forcing compromise if we are to avoid chaos.

1) I think the best way to find a balance in an individual's right to their own perspective with those who disagree is a very complicated situation to approach. Society has tried to lay out a set of guide lines to follow in situations but I do not think that is beneficial, due to the fact every situation is so different.

For example, a guide line is everyone has freedom of speech, which is a great amendment but it is hard to see how that fits in many situations that occurring in today society. I live in the murfreesboro area and just next week we have a white supremacist group coming to the square and my town decided to close down the square and not take action because everyone is entitled to freedom of speech. In my opinion there needs to be a person or elected group who views every situation, instead of allowing people to hide behind the "law".

The saying "no idea is a dumb idea" is completely false! Some people's perspective are terrible and harmful. Henceforth, the people need to stand up for what is right and take more serious action towards though who wish to destroy this country. I do not care what "rights" they are entitled to. When a group of people who threaten the very foundation for what our country stands for and fought so hard to obtain, is allowed to do as they please twisting our rules then there is an issue. There needs to be more discipline instead of allowing more division!

2) Class,

With all that is going on in the world and in America right now, really think this one through. How DO we balance the individual's right to their own perspective with those who disagree? It's all around us. As education men and women, what should we do?