William Golding s Lord Of The Flies - 1456 Words

Many philosophers believe that a correct government can make a strong society. However, these philosophers do not agree on what form of government is the most â€Å"correct†. English philosopher John Locke believed that Man is inherently moral and that the purpose for government is to grant the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to its people. Another philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, however, held the belief that mankind is naturally evil and that society needs an absolute central authority to contain this evilness and grant its people with the common protection. Hobbes believes that in a state of nature, when there are no rules and everyone is granted equal power, the inherent evil impulses of Man are exposed. One†¦show more content†¦Hobbes begins his argument by putting forth that the inherent evil principles of human nature lead to mankind’s continuous greed and desires. In society everyone would be constantly against another so th at the state of nature will be an eternal state of warfare. In a similar design, William Golding also portrays this same idea. In Chapter Four, Golding describes the mental thoughts of Jack, a savage who is obsessed with power after killing his first pig on the secluded island: â€Å"His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink† (Golding 70). The violence from killing the boys’ first pig is the first yet very important step on the road toward savagery. Jack’s exhilaration disables him to think about anything other than the excitement from his first kill, including the act to maintain the essential signal fire for the common good. This act of murder brings satisfaction and a sense of superiority to Jack, proving Hobbes’ statement that human nature is destructive and violent in fulfilling Man’s inherent, constant desires. It is clear that Jack hunts to bring satisfaction to his natural desires for