The objective of this essay is to examine the political theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke as presented in their books, Leviathan and The Second Treatise of Government, through analyzes of their definitions and uses of the terms: natural equality, natural law, natural freedom and law of nature. It is important to note that Locke and Hobbes each have a different conception of human nature which is reflected in their use of these terms and in their political theories in general. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Locke and Hobbes both start from the understanding that all humans are equal. However, each of them has a different conception of this equality and its implications on society. In Hobbes's view, people are all naturally equal, while some are physically strong, others are more astute, so that there is a balance in the power of all people in a state of nature.1 From this hypothesis, Hobbes concludes that war is inevitable. When equally powerful people want something, they automatically become enemies and nothing stops them from fighting each other knowing that they each have an equal chance of winning. On the other hand, Locke believes that humans are mostly rational enough to recognize that they are all equal in human nature and therefore no one should violate the rights of others. In fact, he goes so far as to argue that our natural equality is so much a part of us that it is impossible to completely give it up or have it taken away by others. It also affirms that humans will love one another as they love themselves, and that no one will harm another knowing that they are all equal; for to harm another is to inflict suffering on oneself.2 Whatever their conception of natural equality and its implications for human behavior, both Locke and Hobbes believed that all humans have the natural right to perform all acts that preserve their lives, as well as natural freedom. to exercise these rights without any restriction. In Hobbes's conception of natural rights, he goes even a step further to say that anything a person can define as an act of preserving life and/or simply well-being is also a right. Locke, however, specifically mentions that natural freedom is the freedom to be governed exclusively by the laws of nature and by nothing and no one else. Thus, in Locke's perspective, the limits of the laws of nature must be considered within the framework of natural freedom. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Having established these notions of natural equality, rights and freedoms, Hobbes concludes that in light of these rights and equality, humanity will never achieve a state of security and stability. The first law of nature he introduces states that one should seek peace as long as one knows it can be achieved. From this law Hobbes derives the second law of nature, according to which, insofar as there is a promise of peace, then a person must give up his "right to all things and be content with as much liberty towards the other men that it would enable other men against itself." Thus, Hobbes asserts that the only reasonable laws that people can follow to ensure their security and stability are to collectively set aside their natural rights and redefine their freedom in terms of what they will allow others, and therefore themselves. :.3