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Emma Goldman's Interpretation Of Human Nature In Anarchism

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In Anarchism: What It Really Stands For, Emma Goldman states: “Every fool, from king to policeman, from the flatheaded parson to the visionless dabbler in science, presumes to speak authoritatively of human nature”. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, two of the most influential modern philosophers, presumed to speak authoritatively on human nature. They presumed so much so, that each of the philosophers dedicated the bulk of a novel to discussing their interpretation of human nature. In fact, Goldman herself speaks quite extensively on her interpretation of human nature. Hobbes, Locke, and Goldman fit together nicely on the philosophy of human nature spectrum. Hobbes represents one extreme; Goldman strongly refutes Hobbes and finds herself supporting the other extreme, while Locke’s view of human nature fits somewhere in the between the two. Hobbes’ end of the spectrum views humans as sophisticated machines. He makes minimal assumptions in constructing his state of nature, and as a result, Hobbes delivers the strongest and most convincing interpretation of human nature. …show more content…
In this right, Hobbes thinks like a modern scientist. As a materialist, Hobbes believes that all (physical and mental) phenomena are the result of material interactions. His materialist view shapes his insights on human nature. Hobbes does not believe in the soul, or religion. Hobbes views humans as rational, self-interest driven machines. Further, Hobbes states that prior to society morals do not exist. Humans in their state of nature are unable to make a moral distinction between good and evil. Good is simply what they desire, and evil is what they want to

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