Essay on Thomas Hobbes and The Human Nature - 685 Words

Thomas Hobbes was a 17th century British philosopher and political theorist in early modern times, known for his political thoughts. Witnessing the horrors of the English Civil War that took place from 1642–1651, Hobbes was convinced that an absolute monarchy was the only form of government that could protect individuals and their interests while providing a secure environment that allowed for practice of those interests. Hobbes writes about the idea of absolutism, or absolute monarchy- a form of government in which all power is to be invested in a single ruler’s hands- in his most renowned work, Leviathan, published in 1651. Hobbes argues that without absolutism, no man can live with a sense of security because all acts of human nature†¦show more content†¦There is violence in every corner. People ultimately become each other’s enemies. They fight, kill and destroy for each other’s property, for their own safety, and for the thought of being und ervalued by another individual. Hobbes argues that because man is driven purely by his own nature and this condition of Warre is evident in a nation with no ultimate ruler, â€Å"everyone is governed by his own Reason†¦every man has a Right to every thing; even to one another’s body† (Hobbes, 21). When this occurs, there are no laws that say that something is unjust. There is no safety to allow for people to live a relaxed life. Hobbes says, â€Å"as long as this natural Right of every man to every thing endureth, there can be no security to any man† (Hobbes, 21). People have to continually watch their own back and live in constant fear that at any given moment, they can be attacked for any given reason. For it is simply the Right of human nature. Hobbes’ solution for this unsafe environment created by the Right of human nature is an absolute monarchy. He proposes that â€Å"the only way to defend them from the invasion of {foreigners} and the injur ies of one another†¦ is, to conferre all their power and strength upon one Man† (Hobbes, 22). Hobbes believes that the only way to keep everyone safe and in order is to have the people combine all their voices, giving up their own power of governingShow MoreRelatedTheories Of Human Nature By Karl Marx And Thomas Hobbes Essay1656 Words   |  7 PagesIn both theories of human nature by Karl Marx and Thomas Hobbes respectfully, each provide their own perspective on the fundamental point of human nature. Marx makes the argument that that humans are inherently cooperative and the capitalist system creates a state of nature where humans are competitive. In opposition to Marx’ argument, Hobbes may say that humans are inherently competitive and the social contract is what makes humans cooperate within the capitalist system. 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HoweverRead MoreThomas Hobbes Philosophical Political Piece1317 Words   |  6 PagesThomas Hobbe s philosophical political piece The Leviathan argues that society functions most effectively if all state and commonwealth is delegated by an all powerful sovereign, and that without it we are in a state of chaos, otherwise titled by Hobbes as the state of nature (Thomas Hobbes, 2002, p. 181). I will argue that it is not possible to acknowledge what life is like in the state of nature without fully acknowledging that life in the state of nature leads to an all-powerful sovereign