How did John Locke’s beliefs differ from those of Thomas Hobbes? Locke believed that people are naturally reasonable, while Hobbes believed that people are naturally selfish. Locke believed that people are naturally selfish, while Hobbes believed that people are naturally reasonable. Locke believed that people need a social contract, while Hobbes believed that people do not need one. Locke believed that people do not need a social contract, while Hobbes believed that people need one.
Answers
John Locke and Thomas Hobbes's believes differed on the grounds of their concept of the State of Nature. According to Hobbes life of the individuals are nasty, poor and short lived. They can easily attack or harm any individual for the sake of their own benefit. Thus they require a government which would bind them together where one individual would cede some of his rights so that the other one also cedes his own in order to lead a long lived and peaceful life.
On the other hand, Locke's view about the State Of Nature was completely different. He believed that men are bounded on moral grounds i.e. not harming each other in their lives and possessions. They do protect their rights but without affecting the others. Thus they would willingly come together to form a government which would check those situations where individuals go against morality and injure or enslave others.
Thus Hobbes and Locke's requirement of Social Contract Theory differed on :-
1. Concept of State Of Nature
2. Willingness to form a state.