Unlike the idealistic ancient philosophers such as Plato‚ who discusses politics in “the context of things above politics” (Machiavelli vii)‚ the modern philosophers‚ Niccolò Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes‚ take a realistic approach in explaining political actions and outcomes. Considered to be among the first social scientists‚ they both try to delve deep into the nature of mankind and its relationship to politics. In the course of doing so‚ both authors seem to believe that virtue and morality‚
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Hobbes vs. Rousseau Drug abuse is obviously a huge issue in our country‚ but how would Hobbes and Rousseau’s opinions differ on it? Hobbes talks about individual self interests and punishment. Rousseau talks about education and socialization. The both believe however that the sovereign should decide these laws Hobbes’ law of nature can be summarized as a general rule discovered by reason that forbids a person from doing anything destructive to his own life and gives her the right of self-preservation
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According to Hobbes‚ government is needed so that society will not collapse into violence due to humanity’s selfish desires and self-interest. Hobbes believes that humanity’s natural state is motivated by self-interest and will do everything they can to succeed in their endeavors. People will do whatever it takes to fulfill what their idea of ‘good ’is. When everyone acts this way it quickly devolves into chaos‚ war‚ and violence. The only way to overcome the potential war and chaos are the two
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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
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two of the greatest political and philosophical thinkers of their time and ours. Ideas like these have shaped governments throughout history and still hold true today. They had extremely different views on government‚ but the bases of their arguments were similar. They used reason to justify their ideas‚ rather than divine right. Although both men acknowledged that there was a God‚ He played a very small part in their ideologies. The philosophers each had an impact
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Hobbes argues that the sovereign’s absolute authority is vital to the self-preservation and maintenance of civil peace of the commonwealth. Without these‚ there would be civil war and chaos. He believes that the benefits of having a sovereign outweigh the disadvantages‚ despite the many rights that the sovereign is entitled to. This is why Hobbes believes that those living under the rule of the sovereign still exercise freedom. For Hobbes‚ liberty is defined as the ability to act in accordance to
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two of the great political theorists of their time. Both created great philosophical texts that help to describe the role of government in man’s life‚ as well as their views of man’s state of nature. Even though both men do have opposite views on many of their political arguments‚ the fact that they are able to structure their separate ideologies on the state of man in nature is the bond that connects them. Both men look toward the creation of civil order in order
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Ashlyn Brunk Parson POS 352 October‚ 2012 Exam 1: Hobbes/Locke 1. Compare and contrast Hobbes and Locke on political power? In answering this question explain Locke’s argument against Hobbes’s understanding of “paternal” and despotical power. On the discussion of power and social structure‚ both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes introduce their theories on paternal and despotical power in Second Treatise of Government and Leviathan respectively. Both men believe that social order is constructed
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Enlightenment‚ freedom‚ and Political rights: creating a “just” society Hobbes: “life is nasty‚ brutish‚ and short...” Pessimistic about humans fear of anarchy--bad for economics Ultimate power with strong ruler “Leviathan” John Locke: “Wherever law ends‚ tyranny begins.” Rights: “life‚ liberty‚ and property...” optimistic about humans IF equality and tolerance.... ultimate power with people Thomas Hobbe’s In Leviathan‚ Thomas Hobbe’s argued that ordinary people were incapable of governing
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Thomas Hobbes’ imagined “state of nature” is full of “masterless men” (p. 140). Jean Jacque Rousseau’s imagined “state of nature” is full of radically independent‚ solitary individuals who are innocent of good and evil. How does Hobbes come to that conclusion about man in the state of nature? On what kinds of evidence does he rely? How does Rousseau come to his conclusion about individuals in the state of nature. On what kind of arguments does he rely? Compare and contrast their imagined states
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