State of Nature: 2 The Good, The Bad and The Blank Slate

In this podcast LASER’s Ken Duckett and Dr. Iain Mackenzie from the University of Kent discuss three key thinkers in relation to the state of nature debate: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. In the discussion they consider whether human nature can be seen to be innately good (as argued by Rousseau), bad (as argued by Hobbes) or blank slates (as argued by Locke). They also consider the extent to which these philosophers believe humans are individualistic and are capable of reason (Run time: 46.56).

The content relates specifically to the Laser Learning Awards unit: Politics and the State of Nature Debate, but may be generally useful for anyone with an interest in the subject area (whether studying for an Access to Higher Education Diploma or not).