Thomas Hobbes

1.0 Introduction : The Background of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Thomas Hobbes was born in Westport which around the small town of Malmesbury in England on April 5th, 1588. He born prematurely because his mother was fear when she heard the news of the coming aggression of Spanish Armada which is a Spanish warships. His father, Thomas Sr. was the vicar of Charlton and Westport. He had a brother, Edmund and a sister. His father was forced to leave London because he involved in a fight with the local…

Thomas Hobbes was a well-known philosopher, born in the 16th Century. He toyed with numerous ideas and theories in his lifetime; some supportive of earlier philosophers and others disproving his predecessor’s findings. Psychological egoism emerged from Hobbes’ opinions. In this paper, I will state his view of human beings, and express my opinion of his view. Additionally, I will discuss altruism and how I view the idea of altruism. Psychological egoism is defined as, “the view that the…

There is a debate among scholars of Hobbes whether Hobbes was an atheist, or even whether his philosophy was atheist. There are fewer critics today of Hobbes that make the claim he is an atheist and that his philosophy is itself atheist. It should not be understood to be so. We have to remember that though his views opposed most of the standard views of his time, Hobbes affirmed his faith in Christianity. Also, the term “atheist” had a different connotation prior to modernity. This is to say…

Thomas Hobbes believes that it is in man’s nature to be inconsiderate, selfish and greedy. In many instances man always considers the ‘I’ first which is not a wrong thing but in all those cases it is through other people, it can be servants or workers, through which the ‘I’ desires can be fulfilled. Therefore the need to consider other people is then eliminated even before the plans are put to action. ‘we not only have desires and beliefs but also the capacity to evaluate those desires and…

depicted in the Bible, which later became the name of his treatise (Fiero, 2011). Nevertheless, Hobbes believes that if there is no leader, then there is no justification for good or bad, no man will know if what he is doing is even wrong. He states that there is no law until a person creates it, because there is no justice or injustice in nature, but only in society (“Hobbes Leviathan,” 2012). Hobbes also includes in his treatise the Leviathan that there are two things that allow people to…

them to be rescued. Having their differences on how things should be, and Jack, another old boy, wanting to be leader , there will soon be trouble in paradise. Their issues will reflect on two philosophers, Hobbes and Locke, each character reveals a certain perspective of either Locke or Hobbes.…

Both Thomas Hobbes and Williacted on am Golding declares similar concepts on man at its natural state, they suggest that he is unorganized and unable to come together to accomplish a common goal because of jealousy. At their arrival at the island the group of boys were able to set up rules and act on reason, but once impatience and immediate gratification took over they forgot the morals taught to them back home, abandoned the rules set, and the needed to be rescued, therefore turned back to…

or innocent. A great example of one’s ideas on human nature is William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. The author of the novel shares many ideas on human nature with an enlightenment philosopher, Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes idea on human nature correspond with Golding’s ideas through his writing. Hobbes believes that humans are born with a natural evil and will grow corrupt. Through the character Jack, that Golding creates, readers can understand that it is human nature to have an urge for…

Nathan Ang Ms. Cler World Core Lit October 9th, 2015 Hobbes’ Ideas Within Lord of the Flies The majority of mankind, especially adolescents, have felt an inexplicable urge towards violence and uncivilization. Humans constantly crave violence, as boxing is one of the most entertaining and violent sports. War is the product of human hunger for power, and results solely the devastation of society and civilization. Thomas Hobbes, an Enlightenment philosopher, includes the concept of mankind’s…

the 15th and 16th centuries AD, philosophers emerged in Europe who were more secular than their medieval counterparts. Three of these philosophers were Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, and Pico della Mirandola, each of whom had unique ideas about human nature, and the source of people’s joy and sorrow. Machiavelli and Hobbes were both critical of human nature, each proposing their own solution to the flaws they saw in their society, while Mirandola praised humanity’s potential. Niccolò…