Hobbes And Martin Luther King Analysis

Superior Essays
Hobbes believes that a powerful sovereign that is not part of the social contract is the only way to govern people, be in control, and have order in the country; he thinks that because he believes that people will be so fearful of the sovereign and death that they will not cause any problems. However, James Madison, Plato, and Martin Luther King Jr. seem to for the most part disagree with him. I personally disagree with Hobbes, and I agree with Madison, Plato, and King.
Hobbes claims that Social unity and Civil peace are established through the commonwealth in the social contract. The State of Nature, in Hobbes’s opinion, is the equal opportunities of ability and desire which creates conflict, which makes people enemies of each others. He believes
…show more content…
The first law of nature is to look for peace and try to act peaceful as much as one can. Further, when one fails to find or act in peace, one should use all means of war and make sure that he or she is secured and ready to fight, in case the other person decides to strike first. The second law of nature is to let go of parts of one’s natural liberty to contract peace with others which also requires others to also let go of parts of their natural liberty, so they could have mutual commitment. Furthermore, Hobbes believes that in the state of nature, there are equal opportunities of ability and desire which creates conflict, which makes people enemies of each others. I disagree with that, I think that having equal opportunities will create peace and not conflict because people will have nothing, in terms of being equal, to fight about. People might fight just simply because they are humans but not because they are equal and have equal opportunities. Moreover, I believe that Hobbes’s first law of nature is somewhat realistic because I think that one should always be peaceful and try to solve any problem with peace. However, when the argument or problem is not solved, one should be ready to endure anything and be ready to defend one’s self. I also believe that Hobbes’s second law of nature is not impossible. People should try their best and do anything to be peaceful. Even if people had to let go for parts of their personal freedom for a long term peaceful life, I think people should do it. I agree with Hobbes and I think that once one person lets go of parts of their personal freedom, then other people will also have to let go of parts of their personal freedom to achieve and maintain peace because at the end they will both be

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Meng Tzu Case Study

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In that state of nature we respond to others in three different ways. First, competition, which is what we invade to take what another has for ourselves. Second, diffidence, which is when we fear another and have a desire for safety in order to retain what we already have. Lastly, the strife for glory, which is when we worry about appearing significant in another’s eyes. A society with laws and moral codes can be instituted from a state of nature because Hobbes believed a society is formed is due to fear and the desire for security.…

    • 716 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    How does Hobbes’s view of nature shape his political theory? Political theories make suppositions about nature and/or natural laws. These boundaries (including the behaviors of the people within it) shape actions and decision-making, and the rules of nature thusly form the foundation of the ideology. It is prudent to analyze in-depth this basis for the moral and political philosophy of the great thinkers. The assumptions must make sense if the overall theory of thought built upon this foundation is to hold up.…

    • 1623 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This, the right of execution, is given up to the government in exchange for preservation of the other three natural rights. Hobbes views the state of nature as not a good place. He thinks of it as short and brutal. Weaker people can gain up on the stronger people. This makes everyone feel like they have a chance to get what they want.…

    • 706 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Hobbes

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hobbes’ maintains humans have a “natural condition,” which may be either blissful or brutish. Given such condition, Hobbes asks, how members of society to act/ought to be. Intuitively many philosophers agree members of a society existing blissfully is not only preferred, but better. And, if we grant what is better for society captures that which is good for a society, then individuals ought to act according to the promotion of this peaceful societal end. One objection to Hobbes comes from whether an individual has the right to opt-out of the contract.…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Competition, diffidence, and glory, in Hobbes interpretation make the state of nature a state of war. Hobbes makes a claim that different people want the same things. Therefore, they want to benefit themselves if they can. For example: if a man tries to take something from me for his own benefit... We are technically equal in a Hobbes state of nature.…

    • 184 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes believes the source of conflict is self-preservation (p. 9), meaning that even though various causes of conflict appear in the state of nature, the underlying cause of conflict is self-preservation. He believes not only do humans want to survive in the present, but also they want to ensure their survival in the future. In order to survive in the future, humans need resources which leads to violent conflict with others. Hobbes paints a very messy picture of life. He explicitly states the need for a social contract, so that people aren’t always in conflict with one another (p. 13).…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Hobbes’s first three laws of nature are: 1. “that every man, ought to endeavor peace, as far as he has hope of obtaining it” (Lev. Ch.14, par.4) 2. “that a man be willing, when others are so too, as far-forth, as for peace, and defence of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself.” (Lev.…

    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In this state, both refer to men as equals among them. Locke describes nature as a "state of perfect equality, where there is no superiority or jurisdiction of one over another". Similarly, Hobbes states that "nature hath made men so equal in the faculties of mind and body… “The difference between man and man is not so considerable”. For Hobbes, the time a man spends in a state of nature, it is as if he were in a state of war. Because if two men can not enjoy the same benefits, they become enemies and on the way to their end they try to disappear.…

    • 923 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    All man is encouraged to live by the Law of nature but self-preservation stands above all else. In Locke’s State of Nature man can coexist peacefully, but in Hobbes’ society is fragmented and dangerous, a constant battle of the fittest. A Sovereign is needed to mediate and guide society, a third party into the conflict in order to resolve it. As man is eager to achieve self-preservation, he will gladly consent to the…

    • 1448 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes then imposed the solution that lays the conditions that “to escape this people would enter into a social contract; they would give up their freedom in return for the safety and order of an organized society.” The people would have to sacrifice their very liberties and freedom to achieve a more peaceful society however even though the society is trifled with corruption and injustices it is great if there’s peace and…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Hobbes Nature Theory

    • 2074 Words
    • 9 Pages

    It may take years upon years yet we must wipe out the social construct in these war torn environments and put set up a sovereign with guidelines and laws the subjects must adhere to. Hobbes ' theory sheds extraordinary light on an issue that is still progressing, the group need to ensure what is theirs without surrendering any of their freedoms. In any case, as Hobbes states, we must surrender some of our opportunity to live in an equitable group. We must surrender something of equivalent weight with a specific end goal to get the safety and security from the sovereign. The State of Nature is a group with no rules, legislation or law.…

    • 2074 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The authors view the “state of nature” differently, which therefore affects contracting and the sovereign. To Hobbes, the “state of nature” is a fiction, or a time that exists only hypothetically before the formation of any civilization (In Class Notes 9/3). The aim of this hypothetical state is to describe human nature before society, government, and law. Hobbes claims that this hypothetical existence is encompassed by constant war, violence, and death. The state of nature is defined by war of “all against all” (In Class Notes 9/8).…

    • 1299 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes biggest point was men always want more power and honor. He explains that in order to get the power, we will fight for it. This results in a brutish and short life for each one of us. That’s why the laws of nature and commonwealth was developed by Hobbes. The laws of nature includes the reason and will that are needed to end the everlasting battle of every man for himself.…

    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hobbes Realism Vs Realism

    • 1179 Words
    • 5 Pages

    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).…

    • 1179 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Hobbes’ major achievement to political philosophy is called the ‘social contract theory.’ First of all, Hobbes had a different view of human’s nature as Aristotle to start from. He saw human nature was to be tamed by politics, not exercised. According to Aristotle, The nature of human was to be completed and flourished through community and politics (SEP, 2002). In contrast, Hobbes claims that the state of human nature was war.…

    • 1962 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays