Laura Hart
Mr. Fornshell & Ms. McClure
Humanities 150
February 2017
Who has the power?
In Charles Johnson’s, Middle Passage, the difference between Hobbes’ and Locke’s views of government are well illustrated in the story. Hobbes’ belief that an absolute monarch is the best way to maintain a peaceful society is very similar to what Falcon believes about the leadership of the Republic. In contrast, Lock believes that there are certain instances over which the government does not have power, and this is depicted in the crew’s mutiny, led by Cringle. The dichotomy between the crew’s and Falcon’s views of leadership on the Republic represents the philosophers’ opposing views of the role of a leader and the placement of power. Both Cringle and Locke …show more content…
Falcon says, “‘You recall each says war is divine…’ and ‘The reason – the irrefragable truth is each person in his heart believes his belief best’” (Johnson 97). According to Falcon, without a strong captain it is human nature to fight because humans believe that their ideas or views are superior to those of others. Hobbes would agree with this, as written in his Leviathan. Without an absolute monarch society will revert back to its chaotic state of war. He writes, “… Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man” (Hobbes 80). Hobbes would support Falcon’s point of view since they both agree that without an absolute monarch there would be chaos. Falcon also says, “‘Ouk agathón polykoíranín eis koíanos éstos’” (Johnson 97). This translates to “the rule of many is no good”. Falcon’s opinion directly relates to that of Hobbes since he says that an absolute monarch, one person with all of the power, is better than having a government of multiple
Mr. Fornshell & Ms. McClure
Humanities 150
February 2017
Who has the power?
In Charles Johnson’s, Middle Passage, the difference between Hobbes’ and Locke’s views of government are well illustrated in the story. Hobbes’ belief that an absolute monarch is the best way to maintain a peaceful society is very similar to what Falcon believes about the leadership of the Republic. In contrast, Lock believes that there are certain instances over which the government does not have power, and this is depicted in the crew’s mutiny, led by Cringle. The dichotomy between the crew’s and Falcon’s views of leadership on the Republic represents the philosophers’ opposing views of the role of a leader and the placement of power. Both Cringle and Locke …show more content…
Falcon says, “‘You recall each says war is divine…’ and ‘The reason – the irrefragable truth is each person in his heart believes his belief best’” (Johnson 97). According to Falcon, without a strong captain it is human nature to fight because humans believe that their ideas or views are superior to those of others. Hobbes would agree with this, as written in his Leviathan. Without an absolute monarch society will revert back to its chaotic state of war. He writes, “… Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man” (Hobbes 80). Hobbes would support Falcon’s point of view since they both agree that without an absolute monarch there would be chaos. Falcon also says, “‘Ouk agathón polykoíranín eis koíanos éstos’” (Johnson 97). This translates to “the rule of many is no good”. Falcon’s opinion directly relates to that of Hobbes since he says that an absolute monarch, one person with all of the power, is better than having a government of multiple