Expert: Joseph Logue - 9/13/2004

Question
DID HOBBES AND LOCKE EVER ACTUALLY MEET IN PERSON?


thanks a lot!

Answer
Hello again Emma,

I forgot to add two informative links that may help you out.

Hobbes:  http://www.iep.utm.edu/h/hobmoral.htm

Locke:  http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/l/locke.htm#Plan of the <i>Essay</i>

Hope it helps!

JL







Thanks for writing.  Not knowing the answer off-hand, I did a little research.  There was a lot of material to go through.

Thomas Hobbes lived from 1588 to 1679; John Locke from 1632 to 1704.  So, in the 47 years both were alive, it is possible that they met.  I don't think there was a "famous meeting," as the two giants of Western thought sat down for coffee.  This is always intriguing, especially, as you doubtless know already, Locke and Hobbes had very different views of man in the world and the role of government.

I'll keep your question in my file, and if I can come up with a definitive answer within the next week, I'll let you know.

As always, the Reference Librarian at your local library should be able to help point you in the right direction.

Best of luck, and thanks again for visiting Allexperts.

Joseph Logue