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The State of nature is a philosophical idea linked to social contract theory. It is notable in the philosophies of philosophers like John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.^[1] It refers to the idea of how humans act without being influenced by society.^[1]

Locke saw the state of nature as involving simple trade between people.

Hobbes saw the state of nature as being highly violent. A war of all against all where life is nasty brutish and short.

Rousseau saw the state of nature as being generally good but without order.