Although Hobbes, in his work “Leviathan,” and Marx, in his work “Manifesto of the Communist Party,” both discuss conflict¬¬¬— they differ about the ideal society, the main source of conflict, and the use of conflict generally.
Many philosophers have differing views when it comes to the topic of an ideal society; Hobbes and Marx are no different. While Hobbes believes humans should seek to achieve a peaceful society free from conflict, Marx states that the ideal society is a society free from class. Marx believes history has a path that calls for a communist, a classless, society (p. 490)—meaning, humans have gone through various types of economic systems such as industrialism and feudalism. Therefore, as soon as a new system comes about, the …show more content…
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). In contrast, Marx believes that the cause of conflict in human nature is class division. Marx refers to the idea, throughout time, there have always been people at the very top of the economic class. He believes people who are at the very top control everything, while people at the bottom barely survive (p. 474). In terms of class division, Marx believes people make all of their decisions based on economics, and he states a way of life based purely on economics would eventually lead to the use of …show more content…
Marx believes that conflict is necessary (p. 500). He further explains those in the bottom of the capitalist society should unite to over throw the exploitative system of capitalism in order to achieve the ideal classless society. He states without conflict the bourgeoisie, top of the economic class, will not willingly give up their power. While Hobbes argues life is better with no conflict, therefore, even if the sovereign is unjust life without a sovereign is much worse (p. 17). Hence, Hobbes believes there is no need to use conflict against the sovereign or in general because the result of conflict is much too
Many philosophers have differing views when it comes to the topic of an ideal society; Hobbes and Marx are no different. While Hobbes believes humans should seek to achieve a peaceful society free from conflict, Marx states that the ideal society is a society free from class. Marx believes history has a path that calls for a communist, a classless, society (p. 490)—meaning, humans have gone through various types of economic systems such as industrialism and feudalism. Therefore, as soon as a new system comes about, the …show more content…
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). In contrast, Marx believes that the cause of conflict in human nature is class division. Marx refers to the idea, throughout time, there have always been people at the very top of the economic class. He believes people who are at the very top control everything, while people at the bottom barely survive (p. 474). In terms of class division, Marx believes people make all of their decisions based on economics, and he states a way of life based purely on economics would eventually lead to the use of …show more content…
Marx believes that conflict is necessary (p. 500). He further explains those in the bottom of the capitalist society should unite to over throw the exploitative system of capitalism in order to achieve the ideal classless society. He states without conflict the bourgeoisie, top of the economic class, will not willingly give up their power. While Hobbes argues life is better with no conflict, therefore, even if the sovereign is unjust life without a sovereign is much worse (p. 17). Hence, Hobbes believes there is no need to use conflict against the sovereign or in general because the result of conflict is much too