... everyone will agree to his reasoning. That being said, I acknowledge Hobbes' ability to form a persuasive argument for an absolute sovereignty, however his depiction of the state of human nature greatly underestimates the capacity of human compassion thus his theory of absolute sovereignty has the potential to be further developed. Though Hobbes states that humans are rational and capable beings, we are flawed in ... mind, while we live here; because life itself is but motion, and can never be without desire" (p34). By this explanation of human nature, Hobbes is then able to construct h...

• Word Count: 1514
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Graduate

... view of humans in their natural state is split between philosophers such as Hobbes and Spinoza who have a relatively pessimistic on the view of human nature, agreeing on themes such as the hazardous nature of man within the state of nature the need for a central sovereign figure but differ on their reasoning on how they come to such a conclusion. This view is different to ... the themes of philosophers such as Locke, who have a more optimistic view on human nature, believing men are not destined to perpetual war as suggested by Hobbes. These are the key views that are to be contrasted w...

• Word Count: 2006
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

... toward the "good" and to undergo a personal development that strives for moral fulfillment. So, all interaction both informal and formal between human-kind and especially the process that culminates in a state being formed are activities that demonstrate man is, by nature a political animal. The consequences of such relations are thought to be entirely positive and include a system of justice, increased emphasis on ... morality and an illumination of the path to the good life. That man is by nature a political animal means in a minimum sense that relationships are necessary to human-kin...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Graduate

... type of relentless competition possibly survive? Macpherson shows us that Hobbes has merely taken the intense competition that is present in the state of nature and restricted that brutal race to the top within his Commonwealth, showing us that in Hobbes' Leviathan we may not be better off ... ," we are presented with the argument that Macpherson and other scholars' error in the thinking that Hobbes transfers the intense competition of the state of nature into the commonwealth. Hayes argues that Hobbes did indeed prescribe a plan to limit competition between the citizens of his societ...

• Word Count: 1433
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

... 's idea of the general will is related to the concept of the republic as not just a real entity but one that is in fact more indicative of the values of human nature than the individuals who reside in it. According to Rousseau, what matters is the whole. The individual and their values, ideals and goals are insignificant. This is in direct conflict ... opinions for that matter. He believed that there can't be disagreement because there is only one correct way to help the greater good. Rousseau says, "In the state of nature, where everything takes place in such a uniform manner and where ...

• Word Count: 1216
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Graduate