Preserving Order in Luther and Hobbes

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Preserving Order in Luther and Hobbes

Both Martin Luther and Thomas Hobbes believe in preserving order. Their writings paint pictures of strong sovereigns and obedient subjects. Yet while both men see it as wrong to overthrow a sovereign, they recognize that sovereigns are overthrown and that the sovereigns must do what they can to prevent this. On top of that both men see different causes for their sovereigns’ creation, set different ends for their sovereigns, and would limit the actions of the sovereigns to those specific ends. Hobbes, whose sovereign is created as an alternative to the state of nature, places the possibility of the state collapsing as the limits of that sovereign’s power. Luther, whose rulers are appointed by God, would limit their power only by their fear of God. These differences play out in the few cases in which Hobbes and Luther give the people permission to disobey the rulers.

Thomas Hobbes says that there must be a strong sovereign because it is the only possibility other than the state of nature. In the state of nature every man is equal and having equal rights to all things, all would be in constant war against one another. In this case no one is assured that he will have the fruits of his own labor, and thus there is no labor done but life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." That man would choose to remain in this state is not an option to Hobbes. He says that for men to "seek peace and follow it" is a law of nature. Thus for Hobbes obedience to the sovereign is a choice that everyone must make, because it is natural and reasonable to make it, and because it is the only option other than the state of nature.

Martin Luther, on the other hand, does not really consider a state of ...

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...military is large enough, and the people poor enough, that there is no chance for the people to rebel, then the sovereign may do what he wills and the people will have to accept it. Order will be maintained. However, if the people’s beliefs are moving towards ones promoting rebellion or they have the material resources available too rebel then this will limit the sovereign and he will have act appropriately.

Works Cited

Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1994.

Luther, Martin. "Admonition to Peace, A Reply to the Twelve Articles of the Peasants in Swabia, 1525." In Luther’s Works: Volume 46. edited by Robert C. Shultz. 17-45. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

"Temporal Authority: To What Extent it Should be Obeyed, 1523." In Luther’s Works: Volume 45. edited by Robert C. Shultz. 81-130. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. 89.

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