Final answer:
John Donne's statement 'no man is an island' signifies that everyone is interconnected and our actions impact others, reflecting the idea of a social nature of humanity and the need for a social contract, as opposed to isolated or absolutist existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When John Donne writes that "no man is an island," he means that c) Everyone is interconnected and affected by others. The phrase metaphorically suggests that no person is completely self-sufficient; everyone relies on others in some way, and our actions have an impact on those around us.
This idea is reflected in the philosophies of many thinkers including John Locke, who believed in the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, and the necessity of a social contract to protect these rights. Contrasting with Thomas Hobbes' view of a naturally competitive human state requiring absolute monarchy for order, Donne's and Locke's views emphasize cooperation and the social nature of humanity.