Paleolithic & Neolithic Ages
Thomas Hobbes, a famous philosopher of the 16th century, is said to have declared that with the primitive people of the past, there was a continual fear and danger of violent death, and that the life of man was “solitary, poor, brutish, and short.” In his famous worth, the Leviathan, Hobbes forms a profound opinion of the primitive people of both the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages. Hobbes, being a political philosopher, believed the creation of state allowed man to be conditioned in a civilized way. Hence, if man was not part of a state than he was in the state of manner, which was “solitary, poor, brutish and short” (Leviathan website). Although Hobbes’ outlook may not be completely accurate, it does hold true to some extent. His opinion holds more truth for the Paleolithic Age than the Neolithic Age because the lives of the people changed and advanced significantly from the Old to New Stone Age. The Neolithic period progressed toward a civilization as people began settle into communities. Both of the ages were marvelous periods of history, as they provided a foundation from which civilization emerged, and so its people lived rather difficult lives compared to what we know
today. There are many examples that can be cited to both uphold and negate Hobbes’ opinion of the new humans. Although the primitive people’s lives may have difficult physically, it does not ensure that they were discontent with the spirit and joy of life. The transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic Age involved an emerging Cro-Magnon culture. One of its features was the paintings found in caves and caverns that depicted wild animals and images of women (Hollister xli). The paintings were quite vivid and unique, which suggests that the primitive people felt an urge to eject their abilities of art and creation. Another striking feature of the Paleolithic people is the development of a lunar calendar in accordance with their hunting and gathering (Hollister xli). This suggests that the people were inventive and able to conceptualize ideas. Such features of their society indicate that even if the people were less civilized and primitive, they had ingenious ideas and designs with which society eventually progressed. If Hobbes’ opinion of the Stone Age people connotes a negative position, than I feel that his opinion is not completely valid. His outlook seems to imply that the people were barbaric and savage. However, the people were rich in ideas and the examples provided indicate that the lives of the Paleolithic people were moving in a positive direction – toward the Neolithic Age. The Neolithic Age was a drastic change from the Paleolithic Age. Therefore, the transition has been labeled the Neolithic Revolution. Hobbes’ observation and statement seems to hold less validity during this particular age, because it seems that the life of man was greatly improved. There were significant changes being made and the ideas of man are truly commendable. One of the most important changes was the shift from fo
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Approximate Word count = 1245
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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