Final answer:
The view of individual rights differed from contemporary views about government and individual rights in terms of the role and purpose of government. In the past, philosophers like Hobbes and Locke argued that governments should protect and uphold the natural rights of individuals, while contemporary views vary, with ideologies like libertarianism emphasizing limited government intervention and liberalism emphasizing the government's role in promoting personal autonomy and rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The view of individual rights differed from contemporary views about government and individual rights in terms of the role and purpose of government. In the past, philosophers like Hobbes and Locke argued that governments should protect and uphold the natural rights of individuals, such as the right to life, liberty, and property. They believed that individuals in a state of nature would establish a government to ensure the protection of these rights. However, contemporary views on government and individual rights vary, with ideologies like libertarianism emphasizing limited government intervention and liberalism emphasizing the government's role in promoting personal autonomy and rights.
For example, in the individualist system, individuals are seen as having inherent rights that the government should preserve and promote. Libertarianism emphasizes restraints on government, while liberalism emphasizes the government's obligation to enforce laws that protect personal autonomy and rights. Additionally, some philosophers, like Jeremy Bentham, cast doubt on the existence of natural rights and believed that rights only exist as creations of the state.
Overall, the view of individual rights has evolved over time, influenced by different philosophical perspectives and societal needs.