If realism is pessimism, then Hobbes’ remedy for the state of nature is a deeply pessimistic one. But, in all honesty, I would not agree with this statement because, while yes it is slightly pessimistic, I view it as seen from more of a realistic standpoint in that it is unbiased and what predominately happens in human life. In life, there are pessimistic events and optimistic events, mostly though, are the events that fall into a category that is neither pessimistic nor optimistic; as is Hobbes’ remedy for the state. Furthermore, while some scholars would view a realist as pessimistic, a fine line can actually be drawn between pessimism and realism. As noted in her piece “Optimism vs Pessimism vs Realism: How to be a Happy Realist”, Anuschka
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In chapter 13, Ryan explains all about Hobbes and his point of view, but specifically mentions the state of nature. He explains that man is not inherently violent, he just craves power. Ryan goes on to say that “[t]his is not because we are power hungry, or full of immoderate appetites, but because we are driven to acquire power to protect ourselves”(2012, 432). Essentially, he is saying that no matter what we will always crave power because we will always feel the need to protect ourselves, and that cannot happen unless we have said “power” (Ryan, 2012). Ryan also goes on to say that without the power of protection, governments would not exist and the world would be in a constant state of chaos (Ryan, 2012). While this may seem a more pessimistic view, it truly is one of the most basic realistic viewpoints in existence today. Real life is made up of power-hungry people, who rule over other power-hungry people, who try to make a difference and balance all power out, even though it will most likely never be accomplished. This is because without this ever-lasting cycle of people craving power, governments and states would not …show more content…
With this work, he expresses all about man, government, and religion. In chapter 13, though, his main focus is on the nature of state and how it affects the people. According to Hobbes, men are only violent if they feel that their hope of something better feels threatened and they lose the fear that someone will overpower them and take away said hope (1651, p. 76-79). Another way of saying this would be that hope and fear are always present, they simply do not come into action until man accepts them for what they are. This type of thinking is very basic human nature and will always exist, no matter how many years have passed. As Hobbes says in the beginning of chapter 13 of the “Leviathan”, “[f]or as the strength of body, the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself”(1651, p. 76). This statement alone could very well be the beginning of scholars and leaders recognizing realism as an actual, physical way of thinking, seeing as almost everything in the world today can boil down to
In chapter 13, Ryan explains all about Hobbes and his point of view, but specifically mentions the state of nature. He explains that man is not inherently violent, he just craves power. Ryan goes on to say that “[t]his is not because we are power hungry, or full of immoderate appetites, but because we are driven to acquire power to protect ourselves”(2012, 432). Essentially, he is saying that no matter what we will always crave power because we will always feel the need to protect ourselves, and that cannot happen unless we have said “power” (Ryan, 2012). Ryan also goes on to say that without the power of protection, governments would not exist and the world would be in a constant state of chaos (Ryan, 2012). While this may seem a more pessimistic view, it truly is one of the most basic realistic viewpoints in existence today. Real life is made up of power-hungry people, who rule over other power-hungry people, who try to make a difference and balance all power out, even though it will most likely never be accomplished. This is because without this ever-lasting cycle of people craving power, governments and states would not …show more content…
With this work, he expresses all about man, government, and religion. In chapter 13, though, his main focus is on the nature of state and how it affects the people. According to Hobbes, men are only violent if they feel that their hope of something better feels threatened and they lose the fear that someone will overpower them and take away said hope (1651, p. 76-79). Another way of saying this would be that hope and fear are always present, they simply do not come into action until man accepts them for what they are. This type of thinking is very basic human nature and will always exist, no matter how many years have passed. As Hobbes says in the beginning of chapter 13 of the “Leviathan”, “[f]or as the strength of body, the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself”(1651, p. 76). This statement alone could very well be the beginning of scholars and leaders recognizing realism as an actual, physical way of thinking, seeing as almost everything in the world today can boil down to