Preview

Leviathan

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1362 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Leviathan
A Comparison and Contrast Analysis of the Non-Rational Elements of Political Order in the Philosophy of Plato’s The Republic and Thomas Hobbes’ The Leviathan

This philosophical analysis will compare and contrast the non-rational elements of political power that are defined in The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, and The Republic by Plato. These non-rational views will define how non-rational ideologies can subvert or maintain existing political structures by evaluating the natural order of human hierarchies. Plato defines the appetite for desire as a lower order form of the tripartite soul, which has reasoning and sprit as higher order functions in the human ability to govern political institutions. In similar way, Hobbes recognizes the conflict
…show more content…
However, the argument of opposites (reasoning versus appetites) in this manner contradicts how Hobbes would view the appetites as part of human nature. Plato, of course, does not view the appetitive soul as a natural part of maintaining positive political orders because of the selfish and degrading aspects that it brings as a polar opposite of reasoning. For Hobbes, the appetites are part of the natural inclination of human beings to always desire power as a part of political institutions. Therefore, it is the inherent “nature” of appetites that drive men to continually seek power, which does not necessarily oppose the ability to use rational thought to achieve these goals. The use of political power to gain resources and control over others is part of Hobbes’ view of the “natural’ desire to govern that exists within the human social organizations: “So that in the first place I put for a general inclination of all mankind a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death” (Hobbes Ch. XI, para.2). Hobbes believed in the positive attributes of political orders, which allowed men to naturally pursue their own self-interests. Plato, on the other hand, did not view this type of self-interest as being a sustainable way to preserve the grater good of political orders in the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    When comparing Hobbes,’ Sandel’s and Machiavelli’s viewpoints regarding which of Aristotle’s three main categories of knowledge is the most significant for establishing good political systems or making good political decisions, one must consider what each theorists considers to be a good political system and create a link between the two. The most important category of knowledge for establishing and making good political systems for Aristotle is practical knowledge, the purpose of politics is to produce good, virtuous citizens, the law promotes just actions, purpose of legislators is to establish good laws. The most important category of knowledge for Hobbes is scientific knowledge, the absolute sovereign represents the commonwealth of its citizens, the absolute sovereign must uphold their self preservation, and all laws…

    • 1957 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The understanding of human nature and the effects it has on the individual and society has been a serious topic in the philosophical world. Nicolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes were well known for their crucial roles in forming the foundation of political philosophy. While reading through Machiavelli’s The Prince and Hobbes’ Leviathan, both introduced a common focus on political theory even though living approximately 100 years apart. While learning about these two philosophers and their proposed theories, I noticed an innate relationship in the discussion of society’s human nature. Machiavelli ([1532] 2006) in The Prince theorizes the qualities that a dominant leader should have to gain and maintain power.…

    • 292 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hobbes added to the ideas of democracy by creating the idea that all men are born bad with an urge for war. He stated that in order to have a stable society, government would be required to strictly watch and govern each citizen. He writes that man should give down their power to a much bigger government in order to maintain a single power that can help control the masses. This bigger…

    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout human history, the issue of power has been the source of countless wars and violence, and so has it sparked inspiration in many philosophers to develop potentially better systems of government. The Age of Enlightenment saw many philosophers sprout with new ideas on forms of government to replace or refine the archaic norm of absolute monarchy; one such controversial thinker was Thomas Hobbes. In his widely-recognized book, The Leviathan, he claimed that, because human beings are naturally selfish and evil, one must cede his or her rights to the absolute monarch so that peace can be established and maintained. However, if all human beings are cruel, then monarchs are not any different from the evil of those he rules. In William Golding’s 1954 novel The Lord of the Flies, Golding reflects Hobbes’ ideas about human nature as he depicts the governing of a cluster of stranded boys on an island, from the lack of cohesion of Ralph’s attempt to rationally lead them back to civilization, to Jack’s manipulation of the children into savagery. William Golding thus qualifies Thomas Hobbes’ position, supporting that humans are naturally selfish and evil but refuting his claim that an absolute ruler would make “wise” decisions through his illustration of Jack’s greed for power, hostile acts to Ralph and Piggy, and manipulation of his followers.…

    • 1210 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At first sight, Locke’s The Second Treatise of Government, seemed quite similar to Hobbes’s Leviathan. They both believed that a state of nature is a state that exist without government. They believe that men are created equal in this state, however Hobbes argues that because of self-preservation, man possessed the desire to control over other man. Locke, on the other hand, reasons with a more peaceful and pleasant place.…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the societies of Socrates, Hobbes’s Leviathan, and Machiavelli’s Prince, individuals were naïve. Individuals believed in a power to rule them, rather than standing up and thinking for themselves. While Machiavelli and Hobbes believed in instilling fear into their citizens, Socrates believed in equality and justice. Socrates would disagree with Machiavelli and Hobbes’ societies because they were run by the same government that Socrates was fighting against.…

    • 1408 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Aquinas Vs Hobbes

    • 1535 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Through Aristotle’s work in Politics, he articulates several fundamental aspects of political philosophy that has been greatly influential. Two specific philosophers Thomas Hobbes and Thomas Aquinas, evaluate Aristotle’s perspective of the political nature in relation to mankind. Thomas Aquinas uses Aristotle’s principles as a foundation for his reasoning in writing “On Law, Morality, and Politics.” He modifies Aristotle argument by contributing the religious sphere into the fundamental principles of his political teachings. Thomas Hobbes, on the contrary, is a lot more critical of Aristotle and attacks a lot of his political principles in “The Leviathan.” Hobbes perceives individuals as corrupt, untrustworthy and selfishly motivated, without…

    • 1535 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    That men are sinister in the State of Nature could be promoted as a headline to Hobbes’s magnum opus, Leviathan. In the state of nature, men are not magnanimous beings. A notion similar to the first sin, yet different from a philosopher like Jean Jacque Rousseau. It has always been taken for granted that there are wicked and virtuous humans, yet for Hobbes, humans are innately wicked. These notions, however abstract and contradictory they may seem, are demonstrated in this short paper; Hobbes’s chapter 13 of Leviathan is abridged in this paper. First, the inclinations that drive men to behave in a wicked way are outlined step by step. Then Hobbes’s reason for having a common power is established. Generally, this paper is a reflection on Chapter 13 of Leviathan with explanation and commentary.…

    • 1395 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the idea of human nature; origin of state, the nature of government, the rights of regulation can be drawn as the reflection of insightful philosophies of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Karl Marx. By understanding this within the context of human nature, we can see their ideas play to how they perceive a modern philosophy. Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto illustrates the desire to build "a society without economic classes". John Locke's Political Theory claims the establishment of natural rights which will assist protest against unjust rulers. Thomas Hobbes's most famous publication, the "Leviathan" defines a government which unifies the collective will of many individual and unites them under the authority of sovereign power. Although the three philosophers desire the same result through their theories, its practices and use have indicated that there are difference and similarities both present. All are saying that there should be absolute government, but their areas of specialization are different.…

    • 843 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Contributions of Hobbes include the recognition of the existence of the individual and individual rights along with the concepts of rationality, self-interest, competitiveness, and calculation as individual attributes. Adams and Sydie also point out (p. 14) that Hobbes did not consider the ruler or monarch to be ordained by God (as monarchs often claimed in the divine right of kings) or some external force, but by the people themselves since "authority is given by the subjects themselves." This is important in the development of ideas of political democracy in western Europe and North America.…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan expressed his views of how the government should run the people they governed. Leviathan stated that the people should hand over their rights to one strong ruler. He believed that all humans were all naturally selfish and wicked and by having a ruler to have complete control over them, they will gain order and obedience. Thomas believed that without a strong ruler, people will constantly have war with one another and life would be “poor and short.” Hobbes called this agreement by which people created this type of government the “social contract”. In short, Hobbes believed that the best type of government was an absolute monarchy, which will impose order and demand obedience; a “sea monster” type of ruler to control the wicked people.…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “according to Hobbes, is born political society. For the past 300 years, we have told ourselves a story in which humanity is a collection of rational self-seeking individuals; that society is the conflict of interests; that those conflicts are resolved by a central power given legitimacy by a social contract in which individuals recognize that it is in their interest to yield up part of their unfettered freedom; and that governments have emerged as the source of power through which conflicts are mediated.” (Hobbes, T., & Gaskin, J. C. A. (1998). Leviathan. Opposing Viewpoints.)…

    • 354 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Bibliography: Gauthier, D. (1969) The Logic of ‘Leviathan’: The Moral and Political Theory of Thomas Hobbes. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.…

    • 3361 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hobbes Vs Locke

    • 5047 Words
    • 21 Pages

    In this paper, I will examine the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I will investigate both men's ideas individually and offer my own views on their theories. I will conclude the paper by comparing and contrasting the notions introduced in their respective writings.…

    • 5047 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hobbes Vs Locke

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Two of the most influential political philosopher and social contract theorists of all time, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both used ‘The State of Nature’ as a medium in order to understand the basic human nature and natural human rights in their writings. Both, then used their own understanding of the human nature in order to determine and justify the ideal form of government, its role and its powers. However, Locke and Hobbes reach markedly different conclusions. Hobbes argues that every man should concede all of his natural rights to the government and allow it to assume absolute power, while Locke argues that man is entitled to keep his natural rights and a government body is required only in order to protect those certain natural rights.…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays