Thomas Hobbes Analysis
analytical Essay
1608 words
Is the creation of a sovereign the only way to avoid conflict? Explain and assess the logic of Hobbes’ argument regarding the passage from the state of nature to absolute sovereignty.
Thomas Hobbes wrote the Leviathan as a testament as to how the running of a country should be done, according to him. His works came out in a time of great political instability. His most famous piece of writing, The Leviathan, published in 1651 midst the English civil war. Although Hobbes philosophy on the universe was moderately basic, his views on absolute sovereignty and commonwealths were masterpieces.
Leviathan begins with Hobbes belief that civil peace and social unity can only be achieved through the establishment of a commonwealth, which in turn
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how renngger and kennedy-pipe claim that there is no solid evidence to prove hobbes' argument that civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the formation of a commonwealth.
- Analyzes the logic of hobbes' argument regarding the passage from the state of nature to absolute sovereignty.
- Analyzes how hobbes describes his ideal commonwealth as being ruled by a sovereign power.
- Analyzes how hobbes believes that man is greedy, he is never satisfied with what power, and will constantly be acquiring more.
- Analyzes how hobbes conveys that a totalitarian reign is unnecessary and that sovereign is vital to avoid war. ukraine's government has failed to protect both its country and people.
- Analyzes how hobbes' ideas about the universe, sovereignty, and the commonwealth can still be withheld today.
Our freedom is limited through politics and government, one could question whether there would truly be chaos in a country where they were to be lacking? Individuals do not need to be saved from themselves. Hobbes (1996) conveys that a totalitarian reign is unnecessary and that in a country where by a “state of war” wants to be avoided sovereign is a major vital element.
It is argued by critics of Hobbes that regardless of the government is present or absent country could still be a state of war, Renngger and Kennedy-Pipe (2008). To further prove these points the look to countries who are at war today, prime example Ukraine. Ukraine’s government has failed to protect both its country and people according to BBC correspondent Stern (2014) The "prime minister" of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, has been quoted as saying his army could soon mount a campaign to take three towns in the region, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Mariupol. Hobbes declared that this could not happen - that the sovereign could ‘do no wrong’ but the sovereign’s power is limited, it depends on the co-operation of its people and the people in this case opted for a non government state. If a country has citizens who refuse to cooperate with their people then Hobbes’ theory of a sovereign falls
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- The Influence of Locke and Hobbes on Governmentanalytical essayThomas Hobbes believes that the optimal form of authority is one that has absolute power over its people, consisting of just one person who will retain the exclusive ability to oversee and decide on all of society’s issues. This Sovereign will be constituted by a social contract with the people. With that, the Sovereign will hold all of the citizens’ rights, and will be permitted to act in whichever way he or she deems necessary. The philosopher comes to this conclusion with deductive reasoning, utilizing a scientific method with straightforward arguments to prove his point.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that thomas hobbes and john locke have authored two works that have had a significant impact on political philosophy.
- Explains that thomas hobbes believes that the optimal form of authority is one that has absolute power over its people, consisting of just one person who retains the exclusive ability to oversee and decide on all of society's issues.
- Analyzes hobbes' views on human nature, what the state of nature consists of, and what role morality plays in the leviathan.
- Explains that moral laws, with the principal being that people "ought to endeavour peace" with any means necessary, will not bind in foro externo in the state of nature.
- Analyzes hobbes' view that it would be rational for people to initiate an agreement that would extinguish crippling difficulties. psychological egoism has an important role in this.
- Explains that a strong ruler must come in, seize power, establish an absolute monarchy, and rule with an iron fist over those people that were recently fighting for their lives.
- Analyzes how an organized society forms in which the consequences of not adhering to the rules and regulations of the covenant will be so severe that no one would attempt to violate this contract and disobey the sovereign.
- Explains that the limitless sovereign is justified based on hobbes' views on human nature.
- Analyzes how locke concludes that hobbes' ideas are erroneous and that the ideal government would be limited, decentralized, and rule under the law and operate with separated powers.
- Compares locke's "two treatises of government" and hobbes' apocalyptic version of nature.
- Argues that locke's state of nature allows humanity to govern itself, even when taking into account issues that come with a self-interested body of people.
- Explains that the state of nature, according to locke, is a place without set government, where people have unlimited rights. the people are bound by the natural law.
- Analyzes how papadogiannis 6harm others "in their life, liberty, health, and property" and expect their own rights to be respected. hobbes would argue that the father or mother would kill their neighbor for food.
- Argues that locke's individualism is crucial when he tries to persuade his reader on the importance of a limited government.
- Analyzes locke's argument that an unlimited sovereign is an illogical notion. since the neighbor is innocent, he or she is permitted to defend their life.
- Explains that for a state of war to be avoided, common authority is imperative. citizens will have to part with some of their unlimited rights to this new government.
1741 wordsRead More - Comparing Hobbes and Locke's Versions of the Social Contractanalytical essay... of war. Hobbes interpreted government to be a single governing body, made up of the power of the masses. Hobbes contends that if there is no power to keep people in fear, they will continually be in war against each other. For this reason, the power of the sovereign must be absolute.
In this essay, the author
- Compares hobbes and locke's versions of the social contract, stating that peace and unity can be achieved by setting up a society by having humans agree to the covenant.
- Explains that john locke, author of second treatise of government, places sovereignty into the hands of the people. he claims that people are equal and have natural rights in a state of nature.
- Analyzes hobbes' claims that everyone is equal, should fight for self-preservation, and must give up some rights to be able to enter a society.
- Explains that hobbes claims that freedom is the lack of impediments. there are two types of freedom: positive and negative. natural rights include self-preservation, equality, and the ability to punish
- Explains that hobbes defines natural rights with three natural laws. the first natural law states that a human has the right to self-preservation by defending oneself even if it means going to war.
- Explains that hobbes believes that people have to exchange some of their natural rights in order to enter into a society with other people.
- Explains john locke's claim that human beings all have the same natural rights; all people are equal in nature. everyone has the right to self-preservation.
- Explains that a political society is created in order to set down laws and punishments, and also to protect its members.
- Explains that locke and hobbes differ on a couple of points concerning natural rights and the society.
- Analyzes how locke and hobbes differ in that they believe that god is a factor in politics.
- Compares hobbes' and locke's versions of the social contract.
- Explains that a government is formed with the basic purpose to serve the common good of the people. locke justifies overthrowing the government if it is not protecting the rights of subjects.
- Analyzes how hobbes and locke constructed their own versions on what kind of government should prevail within a society in order for it to function properly.
1344 wordsRead More - Civil War In Thomas Hobbes Leviathananalytical essayIn The Leviathan Thomas Hobbes argues for the establishment of a society that does not contain the elements of its own demise. Hobbes views civil war as a society’s ultimate demise, and the only way to avoid it is for the citizens initially to submit to an absolute political authority. For Hobbes, civil war is inevitable in every type of government except an absolute government. In order to sustain this absolute government, the citizens not only must submit to the absolute political authority, but they must also not partake in activities that actively undermine the absolute political authority’s power. For these reasons, it is clear that Hobbes believes in political obedience and its ability to influence the peace of a society. Furthermore,
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hobbes views civil war as a society's ultimate demise and the only way to avoid it is for the citizens to submit to an absolute political authority.
- Analyzes how hobbes describes life in the total absence of government as a condition in which individuals exist with privacy and autonomy.
- Argues that hobbes' state of nature is not an attractive scenario for individuals because the individual would exist in the condition of mere nature as private appetite is the measure of good and evil.
- Analyzes how hobbes' state of nature is pessimistic in its description of innate human nature, but he employs empirical and normative assumptions that cause him to define it in such harsh terms.
- Compares locke's definition of the state of nature with hobbes', arguing that reason is the driving force behind individuals' actions.
- Explains that locke's state of nature describes the rights and responsibilities that exist between individuals in society, but does not take into account any additional characteristics of the individual.
- Analyzes how locke's theory of the state of nature relates directly to his natural law.
1805 wordsRead More - Hobbes State Of Governmentanalytical essayOne of the most important foundations of Hobbes political philosophy is his reasoning for the importance of government. Hobbes argues that without the presence of government human life would be unbearable, in fact he even goes as far as to say that without government we would live a life of everlasting war with one another. In this paper I will support Hobbes’ claims as to why government is vital, I will also compare Hobbes’ description of the state of nature to the state of the world today.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that hobbes' political philosophy is based on his reasoning for the importance of government.
- Explains that hobbes believes that in the state of nature there is a perpetual war of all against all, driven by felicity, the continual success of satisfying human desires.
- Analyzes how hobbes defines power as one's present means to obtain some future apparent good. he believes that reputation of power is also power.
- Explains that hobbes believes there is no singular power to regulate people's behavior since there are no law givers, a common power, or an enforcer.
- Explains that hobbes believes that the best way of preserving one's life in the state of nature is to follow the laws of nature.
- Opines that hobbes believes that a state without government is fueled with distrust and war, where people fight for power, gain, safety, and reputation.
930 wordsRead More - Comparing Hobbe's and Locke's Theories on Natureanalytical essayThomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, who lived between 1588 and 1679. He witnessed multiple events throughout his life that later led him to write his book “Leviathan,” in 1651 once the war had ended. Hobbes witnessed the English Civil War (1642-1651), the interregnum period of England starting in 1649, and the hardest of them all; tens of thousands people dying throughout the span of 9 years. In Leviathan, Hobbes firstly talks about the state of nature. He goes into how life would be without the state, simply why people needed a state to be able to find rational ground, and he tries to justify the existence of state by pointing disadvantages of its absence (CITE). He later goes into defining the sovereign of the sate, and tries to explain the sovereign’s power and limits. It is said that Leviathan means “Mortal God,” so by that being said, Hobbes gives too much importance and power to the state – the state is a Mortal God.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they will be drawing information from hobbes' "leviathan" and locke's "two treatises of government" for their essay on the state of nature.
- Analyzes how hobbes witnessed the english civil war (1642-1651), the interregnum period of england starting in 1649, and tens of thousands dying throughout the span of 9 years.
- Explains that john locke saw the glorious revolution (1688-1689), which was the british people's attempt to change the sovereign in the direction that they wanted it to go.
- Analyzes how hobbes draws a pessimistic picture of the state of nature, stating that there are clear differences between people.
- Explains that nature has made men equal in body, and mind, but the difference between man and man is not so considerable, as one man can claim to himself any benefit, to which another may not pretend.
- Analyzes how hobbes is saying that the weak can come together and overthrow and defeat the strong people, leaving no authority to be established. different individuals are going to start desiring the same thing and they simply can't enjoy.
- Opines that in such a condition, there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, and consequently no culture of the earth, navigation, nor use of commodities imported by sea, no commodities building.
- Analyzes how hobbes argues that nothing is unjust in the state of nature. he believes everyone has the right to do anything he/she wants.
- Analyzes how hobbes' state of nature is pessimistic and is not a place to survive.
- Explains that locke's idea of the state of nature is that everyone is equal to everyone. he does not think that this leads the people to war.
- Explains that even though the earth and all inferior creatures be common to all men, every one has a property in his own person.
- Analyzes locke's view on the state of nature. he believes that all people have natural rights from birth: life, liberty, and property.
- Analyzes how hobbes and locke think that human nature is selfish, and that no one truly feels secure and everyone seeks peace.
- Analyzes hobbes' view of the political system, where there is no common power over all states, and no world government for the people to follow.
- Compares hobbes' view on the state of nature with locke's.
1231 wordsRead More - Political Theory Of Thomas Hobbesopinion essayThomas Hobbes was a political theorist and English philosopher during the 1600’s. His work, among many others, of his time played an important role in the shaping of society today. Hobbes is a man of many ideas and thoughts. His focus was political philosophy, which is the questioning of things such as politics, government, and justice in society. This questioning led to the idea of his greatest work The Leviathan. Hobbes explains his thoughts and understanding of the way society works, and how he believes it should work. His inspiration behind this was the chaos that coincided with England being at civil war.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas hobbes was a political theorist and english philosopher during the 1600s. his work played an important role in shaping society today.
- Explains that thomas hobbes was born on april 5, 1588, in westport, wiltshire, england. his father abandoned his family and fled to london, where his uncle took over the fatherly figure.
- Explains that hobbes became a tutor after magdalen college, where he tutored the cavendish family, which gave him access to many things that helped further educate him. he wanted to fix the issues that were happening at home in england.
- Analyzes how leviathan explains what will happen to england if people try to rise in social class. the key to well-being is to take notice that as long the ruler keeps their stability and reign in a fashionable manner, all is well in the world.
- Opines that hobbes' former knowledge helped him understand politics and government. the idea of man letting government rule, if they keep the peace, is a great thought.
- Opines that thomas hobbes believes against war and conflict, although he turns around and says that any man will fight for what they desire.
- Opines that thomas hobbes was an important man in england's history. he helped england have a more efficient government, and elude chaos.
950 wordsRead More - At the core of Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan rests one fundamental value of a society, from which
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes aminta's idiosyncrasies that distinguish her from the rest of her people.
- Describes locke's works in nine volumes, 12th ed. vol. 4.
- Analyzes how hobbes' leviathan is based on the duty to self-preservation, while assuming that there is little difference between men in their physical and mental abilities.
- Analyzes how the state exists in a time very similar to the current one but not our own, as hobbes had presented in the leviathan.
- Opines that aminta, a criminal investigator for the state police, is passionate and devoutly for her state.
- Analyzes how aminta deems belief in the divine as the folklore of cultures ancient and distracting men from what they should truly be.
- Narrates how aminta discovers she is developing a medical condition and decides to visit the doctor at his private clinic. the doctor informs her that she has developed cancer.
- Analyzes how aminta refuses to allow her life to be cut short because of her meager salary and the current economic situation.
- Analyzes how aminta takes the doctor's life and the receptionist’s and deflects the investigation to a series of dead ends. with her supply of drugs on hand, she lives longer.
- Analyzes how aminta's abilities were the product of varied life experiences that enabled her to disobey successfully and go unpunished.
- Explains that hobbes writes in the leviathan that the propriety of man is only as good as the coercive power of the state.
- Analyzes how hobbes writes that the laws of nature exist for the self-preservation of mankind; one has a moral obligation to avoid any action that is destructive to his life or takes away his means for preserving it.
- Explains that while aminta lived a perfectly clean life under hobbesian law, she was ethically filthy according to god's law.
- Argues that the problem lies in the worldview of every citizen of the hobbesian society, of which aminta is only a single member.
- Opines that the duty to self-preservation is incapable of motivating its people.
- Opines that principle must motivate man to act righteously even when they are outside the realm of the state's coercive power.
- Explains the concept of equal and fair love, which john locke invokes in his second treatise on government.
- Argues that the greatest principle of the society within the united states is the preservation of freedoms. the founding fathers established this principle in response to tyrannical measures.
- Analyzes how america suffers from the same ills of the hobbesian state.
2500 wordsRead More - Hobbes and Lockeanalytical essayIn many ways Hobbes and Locke’s conclusions on man and society create a polarizing argument when held in comparison to each other. For instance the two make wildly conflicting assertions concerning mankind’s capacity to foster and achieve organized society. Hobbes asserts humans cannot be trusted to govern themselves lest they fall into war and chaos; Locke, on the other hand concludes almost the exact opposite. Despite the polarity in each man’s train of thought, both philosophies share a common ancestor: a state defined by total equality where no human is superior or holds dominance over another. Although this is the base of both theories, it is the only similarity between the two. This commonality can be illustrated when tracing each argument deductively from their conclusions, the comparison reveals that the heaviest and most base opposition in each mans philosophy is his assertions regarding the nature of human beings.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hobbes and locke's conclusions on man and society create a polarizing argument when held in comparison to each other.
- Analyzes locke's broad conclusion about the role of the state, stating that society has given birth to a state to defend unalienable rights that define justice.
- Analyzes how hobbes' definition of the role of government is a direct inversion of locke's. the general set of rules constitutes the social contract set over society in exchange for the protection
- Compares how each theory defines the function of the state. locke and hobbes are polar opposites in their reasoning of how a state is created.
- Explains that hobbes' iteration of the social contract derives from his belief that humans are incapable of governing themselves and if left to do so will only achieve a state of war.
- Explains that hobbes' social contract and locke's natural law serve the same function in each theory: to avoid a state of war.
- Compares how hobbes employs his social contract in lieu of natural law, whereas locke claims that due to enlightened self-interest, humans are social and peaceful creatures capable of governing themselves.
- Explains that it is peculiar that both these theories have grown from two different answers to the same question: how would the interactions of completely equal, ungoverned people evolve over time?
869 wordsRead More - Hobbes’ Leviathan: A Principality? A Republic? Or Something New?analytical essayHobbes’ political thought is said to be the foundation for Parliamentary sovereignty in Canada. He believes societies main goal is to provide a safe, functioning life without the constant fear of death. If those in power do not obey the social contract, the commonwealth have the right to create a new social contract so the state of nature does not prevail. The sovereign is entrusted with unlimited power but must always act in a way that protects the people. Laws from the sovereign allow the commonwealth to not constantly fear death. Like a principalities, one sovereignty is allowed ultimate rule. It is similar to a republic in which the ruler has to abide by the will of the people. Hobbes takes both principles and creates the Leviathan.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hobbes' leviathan combines concepts for governing principalities and republics into a new type of political thought similar to and different from machiavelli.
- Analyzes how hobbes resembles and disagrees with machiavelli to understand how the leviathan differs from a principality or republic.
- Explains that the state of nature is in constant conflict and the threat of death is equal to everyone. hobbes believes that there is always a human desire for power.
- Explains that the sovereign operates through the social contract based off of people's fear. they fear the natural state and depend on the leviathan for safety.
- Explains that freedom comes from the law and the commonwealth may act as they choose as long as it does not disobey the laws of the sovereign.
- Explains that hobbes believes that the laws and actions of the sovereign must be followed without question but he is on the people's side.
- Analyzes how hobbes, unlike machiavelli, believes that the people have the right to revolt. if the sovereign doesn't act in accordance to protect people, the social contract has failed.
- Analyzes how the leviathan differs from being a principality and republic because the absolute power of those in charge is always put into question.
- Explains that hobbes' political thought is the foundation for parliamentary sovereignty in canada. he believes societies main goal is to provide a safe, functioning life without the constant fear of death.
931 wordsRead More - John Locke And Thomas Hobbes: The Age Of Reason Or Enlightenmentanalytical essayOur first individual, Thomas Hobbes, wrote many books about history, geometry, the physics, theology, ethics, and philosophy; however, the one that made him known as the father of political science and one of the great philosophers of all time is the book Leviathan. In it Hobbes sets out his doctrine of the foundation of a legitimate government that would basically fit human sin by creating an objective view of morality.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 17th and 18th centuries in europe are often known as the age of reason or enlightenment, which explored themes of social upheaval, personal status, political satire, geographical exploration, and the comparison between the states of men in a civilized society.
- Explains that hobbes wrote many books about history, geometry, physics, theology, ethics, and philosophy, but the book leviathan made him the father of political science and one of the great philosophers of all time.
- Explains that leviathan was written during the english civil war and was influenced by it. hobbes believed that all people are intrinsically motivated to provide themselves with as many resources as possible.
- Explains that hobbes believed that men don't take any pleasure in the other's company when there’s no power capable of keeping all with respect toward each other, leading to a war of all against all for recognition, for the preservation of life, and the realization of what one man wishes.
- Analyzes hobbes' ideal government, where a single figure oversees the country and rules using fear. he believed that fear was the most effective way to control the citizenry and prevent disorder.
- Analyzes how the question of equality and freedom is seen by hobbes differently from the more conventional of this kind, as seen in the revolutions against kings’ absolute power, especially during the french revolution.
- Analyzes how locke was optimistic, stating that all humans were capable and strove for the betterment of the world. he criticized the hobbes idea of an authocratic power.
- Explains locke's proponent of a representative democracy, which allowed rational, thinking people to contribute to their governance, but kept any one individual’s wants from crowding out the others.
- Opines that the enlightenment's legacy can be seen today, everywhere. the ideas of locke and hobbes are alive and used, with people still debating them.
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