Hobbes on the State and its Value Term Paper by Swampy
Hobbes on the State and its Value
An analysis of how Thomas Hobbes explains the origins of the state and why he thinks it is such a valuable institution.
# 75263
| 2,626 words
| 5 sources
| MLA
| 2006
| 
Published
on Dec 10, 2006
in
Political Science
(Political Theory)
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Description:
This paper examines how Hobbes' perspectives of both the origin of the state and its value lie in his view of the human condition. It looks at some of his theories on human nature and justice and his political uniqueness in his theories of state formation with a focus on the purpose and context of "Leviathan".
From the Paper:
"Hobbes' syllogism throws up many difficulties, in his contract, his sovereign and his theories of egoism. For example, his skeptical view of human nature can be called to account. Are we truly driven primarily by this fear of death? Theories like Hobbes' and Machiavelli's smashed completely the political ideal of the Renaissance hero with his ideals of glory and honour, and he allows no room for the existence of altruistic or even neutral actions. He is so passionately in favour of total egoism that he even puts forward the motivation of charitable deeds as simply to "deliver the mind from the pain of compassion". In De Cive, he first forms this theory- without a restraining fear of a sovereign, "it would needs follow, not only that all men are evil...but also evil by nature" And certainly, egoism is a large part of political science in predicting the way humans act. "Cite this Term Paper:
APA Format
Hobbes on the State and its Value (2006, December 10)
Retrieved December 07, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/hobbes-on-the-state-and-its-value-75263/
MLA Format
"Hobbes on the State and its Value" 10 December 2006.
Web. 07 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/hobbes-on-the-state-and-its-value-75263/>