Editing Political Philosophy (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Political philosophy often starts with a view of '''Human Nature'''.

'''The State of Nature (The "Starting Point")''':
* '''Thomas Hobbes''': Thought humans were naturally selfish and violent. Life was "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Therefore, we need an absolute King to keep the peace.
* '''John Locke''': Thought humans were naturally social and reasonable. We have rights to life, liberty, and property. The government's only job is to protect those rights. If it fails, we have the right to revolt.
* '''Jean-Jacques Rousseau''': Thought humans were naturally "Noble Savages" corrupted by society and property. He wanted a government based on the "General Will."

'''Justice as Fairness (John Rawls)''':
Rawls asked us to imagine we are behind a "Veil of Ignorance." We don't know if we will be born rich or poor, healthy or sick, male or female. What kind of society would we design? He argued we would choose a system that:
1. Guarantees basic liberties for all.
2. Only allows inequalities if they benefit the "least advantaged" member of society (The Difference Principle).

'''Positive vs. Negative Liberty (Isaiah Berlin)''':
* '''Negative Liberty''': "Freedom ''from'' interference." (e.g., the government can't stop you from speaking).
* '''Positive Liberty''': "Freedom ''to'' be your own master." (e.g., having the education and health needed to actually achieve your goals).
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