Which of the following offers the best comparison between Hobbes’s and Locke’s perspectives on the divine right of kings?
A. Hobbes supported the divine right of kings as absolute monarchs.
B. Both saw the divine right of kings as unnatural and bad.
C. Locke supported the divine right of kings because it gave people more freedom.
D. As Christians, both accepted the divine right of kings.
B. Both saw the divine right of kings as unnatural and bad.
The best comparison between Hobbes's and Locke's perspectives on the divine right of kings is option B, which states that both saw the divine right of kings as unnatural and bad.
To determine the best comparison between Hobbes's and Locke's perspectives on the divine right of kings, we need to analyze each option and assess how accurately it reflects their views. Here's the breakdown:
A. Hobbes supported the divine right of kings as absolute monarchs.
This option correctly identifies that Hobbes supported the divine right of kings. However, it doesn't provide any information about Locke's perspective, making it an incomplete comparison.
B. Both saw the divine right of kings as unnatural and bad.
This option suggests that both Hobbes and Locke viewed the divine right of kings negatively. While this may be true for Locke, it is an oversimplification of Hobbes's perspective. Hobbes believed that absolute monarchy was necessary to maintain order and prevent a chaotic state of nature.
C. Locke supported the divine right of kings because it gave people more freedom.
This option is incorrect. Locke did not support the divine right of kings. In fact, he argued for a more limited government with power derived from the consent of the governed.
D. As Christians, both accepted the divine right of kings.
This option is also incorrect. While both Hobbes and Locke were Christians, accepting the divine right of kings was not a shared belief. Hobbes supported it, whereas Locke rejected it.
After evaluating all the options, we can conclude that the best comparison between Hobbes's and Locke's perspectives on the divine right of kings is that Hobbes supported the divine right of kings as absolute monarchs, while Locke rejected it and advocated for limited government based on the consent of the governed. Therefore, the correct answer is A.