Freedom and Authority

Write a 2–3-page essay on a selected issue related to the tension between individual freedom and social institutions.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:

Competency 1: Explain the nature of ethical issues.
Explain the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government.
Competency 2: Critically examine the contributions of key thinkers from the history of ethics.
Describe the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Competency 3: Engage in ethical debate.
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of these theories as they relate to a selected issue.
Competency 4: Develop a position on a contemporary ethical issue.
Apply traditional social contract theories to a selected contemporary issue.
Competency 5: Communicate effectively in the context of personal and professional moral discourse.
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Another dose of ethical theory, focused this time on social organization. Several political philosophers have explained the foundation of governmental authority in terms of a fictional social contract:

Hobbes
Individuals are purely selfish, so they naturally exist in a state of war with all
In self-defense, we join together under the authority of a sovereign who rules
Locke
In nature, rational agents have equal right to enforce the natural law
For protection of “life, liberty, and property” we consent to be governed
(Notice the influence of this approach on founders of the United States.)
Rousseau
We are born free, so any agreement to join together is purely voluntary
Each individual freely chooses to serve the “general will,” the welfare of all
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Present-day nations exhibit a variety of social organizations:

Authoritarian: absolute power in a single dictator who imposes power over everyone
Elitist: a small group rules for all, based on birth family, wealth, or merit
Democratic: everyone participates in governance, usually by electing representatives
Under any form of government, the fundamental question is how much freedom individual citizens retain in the face of legitimate authority. If we accept the need for some protection of the public good, we must submit in some circumstances, but each of us wishes to pursue our own choices within that broad framework.

With respect for justice, we allow the law to prevent us from harming each other, but otherwise we like to be left alone.

Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Hobbes
Hobbes, T. (2001). Leviathan. South Bend, IN: Infomotions, Inc.
Parts I and II.
Cudd, A., & Eftekhari, S. (2017). Contractarianism. Stanfield Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/contractarianism/
Pages 1–11.
Kemerling, G. (2011). Hobbes’s Leviathan. The Philosophy Pages. Available from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/3x.htm#mech
Pages 1–3.
Lloyd, S. A., & Sreedhar, S. (2018). Hobbes’s moral and political philosophy. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes-moral/
Pages 1–8.
Williams, G. (n.d.). Thomas Hobbes: Moral and political philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy?. Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu/hobmoral/
Pages 1–18.
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Locke
Locke, J., & Cox, R. H. (Ed.). (1982). Second treatise of government. Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson.
Kemerling, G. (2011). Locke: Social order. Philosophy Pages. Available from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4n.htm
Pages 1–4.
Moseley, A. (n.d.). John Locke: Political philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu/locke-po/
Pages 1–37.
Tuckness, A. (2016). Locke’s political philosophy. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-political/
Pages 1–19.
Rousseau
Wraight, C. D. (2008). Rousseau’s the social contract: A reader’s guide. London, UK: Continuum.
Bertram, C. (2010, September 27). Jean Jacques Rousseau. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/
Pages 1–20.
Delaney, J. J. (n.d.). Jean-Jacques Rousseau: 4. The social contract. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/rousseau/#H4
Pages 11–12.
Kemerling, G. (2011). Rousseau. Philosophy Pages. Available from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/5d.htm
Pages 1–3.
Social Contract Theory.
Individual Freedom
Skillsoft. (n.d.). Overcoming your own unconscious biases [Tutorial].
The systemic influence of cultural presumptions often infringes upon individual freedom. Use this Skillsoft video to explore the biases to which we may be susceptible.
Running time: 22:00.
Skillsoft. (n.d.). Influence others with political savvy [Tutorial].
This Skillsoft tutorial describes some workplace opportunities to deal with the potential conflict between collective limitations on individual freedom.
Running time: 22:00.
Ethical Controversy
NBC Learn. (n.d.). EPA head Scott Pruitt faces growing ethics controversy [Video].
In this video, you will see an example of ethical standards in government.
Running time: 01:33.
NBC Learn. (n.d). Arizona governor poised to veto anti-gay bill? [Video].
In this video, you will see an example of governmental infringement on individual rights.
Running time: 03:09.
Assessment Overview
Political philosophy concerns itself with the formation and maintenance of civil societies. Its central theme is the need to explain the relationship between individual human beings and their governments. You have been considering several specific examples of the tension between individual freedom and social institutions. From among those examples, you have chosen one as the focus for your own views on freedom and authority.

Assessment Instructions
Your assessment is to write an essay assessing the issue you selected, both in terms of versions of social contract theory proposed by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau and from your own view of the proper relation between society and the individual.

Address the following concepts in your essay:

Explain the ethical basis for the relation of individuals to their government
Describe the theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau about how societies are organized.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the theories in justifying the imposition of authority over individuals.
Apply these social contract theories to the issue you have selected.
Your instructor may provide video feedback on your work, as well as completing the official scoring guide for the assessment.

Assessment Requirements
Written communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: Format resources and citations according to current APA style guidelines.
Number of resources: Use your judgment to ensure your topic is thoroughly researched. There is no minimum number of resources required, however.
Length of paper: Submit 2–3 typed, double-spaced pages.
Font and font size: Use Arial, 12-point font.