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John Locke wrote his Second Treatise of Government that man, in the state of nature are in “a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the laws of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.” In other words, all men are equal and independent. St. Thomas Aquinas, on the other hand, believes that all men are equal, but far from independent. He states that all men, being persons, are not complete without another person, and therefore man is naturally social. How do these differing views of human nature result in differing theories of the purpose of government? How would justice differ under the two models? Which model does the Catholic Church prefer? Which model does the U.S. government follow? As Christians, how do we rectify the differences?
Midterm Exam Essay Question #3
Fall 2000
The purpose of government is to make and to enforce laws. If you have laws you cannot have complete independence. Therefore if you have government you cannot have complete independence. People are to be governed, without some form of government the world would be in chaos.
If government relied on John Locke’s theory, then the world would be disastrous. Human beings are mostly inept beings. They are not able to have complete independence without screwing up the society around them. Society does however revolve around Thomas Aquinas theories. All men are created equal, yet far from independent.
The Catholic Church prefers the theories presented by Thomas Aquinas, because they are more Just than John Locke’s. John Locke allows for too much evil to occur, because of the independence that is given to humanity under his theory.
The United States government prefers the theories presented by John Locke. It prefers these theories because the “people” seem to think that this is a better way of life. If you give these “people” who are inept human beings total independence, then you have an entire chaotic society that has no governing power. If you have no government then you have no peace. This then gives the politicians something that they say that they have to or had to fix.
As Christians we should use the theories presented by Thomas Aquinas, these theories are peaceful, and allow for a free, yet governed society. With out government, there is chaos; without chaos, there is no independence.
Word Count: 412
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