Hobbes And The Natural State Of Man - 1617 Words

Thomas Hobbes was a divisive figure in his day and remains so up to today. Hobbes’s masterpiece, Leviathan, offended his contemporary thinkers with the implications of his view of human nature and his theology. From this pessimistic view of the natural state of man, Hobbes derives a social contract in order to avoid civil war and violence among men. Hobbes views his work as laying out the moral framework for a stable state. In reality, Hobbes was misconstruing a social contract that greatly benefited the state based on a misunderstanding of civil society and the nature and morality of man. In order to analyze Hobbes’s work of moral and political philosophy, one must first understand his view of human nature. Hobbes’s was greatly influenced by the scientific revolution of the early 17th century, and by the civil unrest and civil war in England while he wrote. Hobbes views the nature of man as being governed by the same laws of nature described by Galileo and refined by Newton .He writes in Leviathan â€Å"And as we see in the water, though the wind cease, the waves give not over rowling (rolling) for a long time after; so also it happeneth in that mation, which is made in the internall parts of a man† . From this, he concludes that man is in a constant state of motion. Being at rest is not the natural state of man, but rather a rarity. From this turbulent view of man, Hobbes goes on to describe the natural state of man. The natural state of man is one of war inShow MoreRelatedTopic sentence. Thomas Hobbes interpretation of natural law is not only radically different, but1300 Words   |  6 Pagessentence. Thomas Hobbes interpretation of natural law is not only radically different, but inconsistent with the traditional view. This can be seen through the similarities and differences found when comparing Thomas Hobbes theory, and Thomas Aquinas’ theory in regards to their view of man’s ultimate goal, their defi nition of natural law in regards to its relationship with human rationality, and lastly how they view the meaning and relationship of divine providence and religion in natural law. The followingRead MoreEssay on The Natural Ways of Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau1207 Words   |  5 PagesThomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau introduce their varying opinions surrounding man in nature. The western philosophers mainly concern themselves with the concept of the social contract. Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke begin with the conception of the individual, because in the natural state, they all believe that man is an independent character. Each of the philosophers used their revolutionary concepts to challenge power, yet their arguments differ dramatically. Through their texts, Hobbes, LockeRead MoreHobbes And Rousseau s Views On The State Of Nature868 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent views on one central issue. For example Thomas Hobbes, and Jean Jacques Rousseau interpret a Man’s Nature very differently from each other. The discussion over Man’s Nature brings light to Hobbes underlying reason of why people established political societies, and Rousseau’s question of what causes a mans misery? In Hobbes case he believes that Men need to find self-protection in order to shield themselves from men’s natural state of misery and fear. On the other hand, Rousseau didn’t seeRead MoreRousseau s View On State Of Nature1551 Words   |  7 Pagesargument of the state of nature often comes into discussion. However, two mainstream philosophers Thomas Hobbes and Jean- Jacques Rousseau have similarities, but mostly have multiple different ideas on this theory. Although Hobbes makes valid points Rousseau s view on s tate of nature is more realistic then Hobbes. Rousseau’s view on the state of nature is interpreted as a forest, and refers to the â€Å"savage man†. He begins by explaining how he relates man to an animal he states â€Å"when I strip thatRead MoreHuman Nature Is Good, And Being A Beast1165 Words   |  5 Pages Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, and the author of Leviathan. Hobbes declared that human life was â€Å"solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short†(Hobbes, 107). Hobbes felt that the natural state of man was beast-like, and savage. Thus, he felt that it is civilization that influences and challenges humanity from our fundamental wickedness. Within his view, human nature is dangerous; which can only be rescued through culture and community. According to Hobbes, being â€Å"civilized† is good, and beingRead MoreComparison of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay1092 Words   |  5 Pageswritings of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Through Thomas Hobbes world-renowned publication Leviathan and Rousseau’s discourses on basic political principals and concepts, each man validated their thoughts on human nature and what is required for a successful society within their respective government confines. The distinct differences between Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions on the natural state of man frame the argument of the different parenting styles the each man would inevitably applyRead MoreCompare and Contrast John Locke and Thomas Hobbes1028 Words   |  5 PagesMan: The Social Animal Brian Greaney Political Science 230 Prof. T. Mullins April 18, 2011 John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were two main political philosophers during the seventeenth century. Hobbes is largely known for his writing of the â€Å"Leviathan†, and Locke for authoring An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Included in their essays, both men discuss the purpose and structure of government, natural law, and the characteristics of man in and out of the state of nature. The two mensRead MoreCompare And Contrast Hobbes And Locke1391 Words   |  6 Pages Hobbes and Locke in State of Nature and War. Introduction Without a doubt, Hobbes with his work Leviathan and Locke with his treatises on The Civil Government illustrated a before and after regarding Philosophy and politics of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The historical events in England such as the English civil war (Hobbes) and the war against France (Locke) marked both scholars and influenced their thoughts to match and oppose naturally. However, both made a significant contributionRead MoreEssay about Comparing Hobbes and Lockes Versions of the Social Contract1349 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Hobbes and Lockes Versions of the Social Contract Thomas Hobbes, author of Leviathan, claims that peace and unity can best be achieved by setting up a society by having humans agree to a covenant (Hobbes: Ch.18 pg.548). A sovereign who is in charge of protecting the society or state rules Hobbes’s society. In his introduction, Hobbes describes this commonwealth as an artificial person and as a body politic that mimics the human body. Hobbes portrays the state as a gigantic humanRead MoreThe Theory Of Property And Property Rights900 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosophers have struggled to describe. The renowned political theorists Thomas Hobbes and John Locke hold vastly different opinions in regard to the concept of property. In 1651, Hobbes outlined his views in his book, Leviathan, where he discusses societal structure and his social contract theory. Almost forty years later, Locke published his Second Treatise of Government, in which he described mankind’s state of nature, and natural rights. These two works expressed n ear complete opposite viewpoints in regards