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The famous quote from Hobbes is that a man's life in a state of nature was "Nasty, Brutish, and Short." It is important to remember that the man himself wasn't short, his life was short.

Hobbes was saying that we are by nature evil, rude, selfish, and cruel. He felt that government and institutions were put in place to protect people from other people.

He was a contrast to Locke and Rousseau who felt that governments and institutions got in the way of happy people being happy together.

The "State of Nature" referred to life for people before there were governments, before there were laws, before there were organizations. Just people.

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What BEST captures the difference between Hobbes Law of nature and St. Thomas Aquinas Natural law?

Hobbes' Law of Nature is rooted in a pessimistic view of human nature, emphasizing self-preservation and the need for a social contract to escape the chaos of the state of nature. In contrast, St. Thomas Aquinas' Natural Law is grounded in a more optimistic view, asserting that human beings can discern moral truths through reason, which reflects divine order and promotes the common good. While Hobbes focuses on individual survival and the necessity of authority, Aquinas emphasizes moral principles inherent in human nature that guide ethical behavior. Thus, Hobbes sees law as a means to avoid conflict, while Aquinas views it as a reflection of a higher moral order.


How did Thomas Hobbes describe the conditions under which human beings lived in the state of nature?

Thomas Hobbes described the 'natural state' of human beings as solitary, nasty, brutish, and short. In the absence of social order and the additional protective layer of morality, 'natural' human interactions were, for Hobbes, war-like and bloody, with each waging hostilities against all others for the sake of basic, and usually only temporary, security.


What is the overall purpose of Franklin's aphorisms in Poor Richard's Almanac?

to convey general insights about human nature.


What did Thomas hobbes do?

Thomas Hobbes was an important enlightenment thinker. In his masterpiece Leviathan he said that people by nature were selfish and ambitious. He believed that the type of government needed to control this was absolute monarchy. It was a king of social contract or agreement among members of society, people submitted to an authoritarian ruler to prevent disorder. Although he was a monarchist , his idea of a social contract was important for the developement of democracy.(The answer is in italics in the end.)


Did the founding fathers love the ideas of Thomas Hobbes?

The Founding Fathers had a complex relationship with the ideas of Thomas Hobbes. While they acknowledged his contributions to political philosophy, particularly regarding social contracts and the necessity of government for maintaining order, they largely rejected his belief in absolute sovereignty and the inherent pessimism about human nature. Instead, they leaned more towards the ideas of John Locke, advocating for individual rights and limited government. Thus, while Hobbes's ideas influenced them, they did not fully embrace his views.

Related Questions

Who believed that human nature was selfish and wicked?

Thomas Hobbes


Who believed that human nature was both selfish and wicked?

Thomas Hobbes


Thomas Hobbes view on nature vs nurture?

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature was inherently self-interested and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation. He argued that this nature could be influenced and shaped by external factors such as society and education. Overall, Hobbes emphasized the importance of societal structures and authority to control and temper human nature.


How did thomas hobbes view human nature?

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature was inherently selfish and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation. He argued that in a state of nature, without a governing authority, individuals would be in a constant state of conflict with one another.


What were the views of Thomas Hobbes on the nature of man?

Thomas Hobbes had a very pessimistic view of human nature. He had called man's life, among other things, solitary, nasty, and short.


What was Thomas Hobbes's view of human nature?

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature is inherently selfish and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation. He argued that without strong government control, humans would live in a state of perpetual conflict and chaos.


What are Hobbes views?

Hobbes view means like human nature and what you see threw your eyes into the sound and feeling also what you take into your heart from nature.


When and where did Thomas hobbes was Mary?

Thomas hobbes never married or had children


What describes Thomas Hobbes's view of human nature?

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature is inherently selfish and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation. He argued that in a state of nature without a governing authority, humans would be in a constant state of conflict and competition. Therefore, Hobbes believed in the necessity of a strong central government to maintain order and prevent chaos.


What were Thomas Hobbes ideas about human nature?

Thomas Hobbes believed that human nature is inherently selfish and competitive, leading to a state of constant conflict. He argued that the best way to prevent chaos and ensure societal order was through a strong central authority or sovereign to maintain control and enforce laws.


How did thomas hobbes describe human nature?

Thomas Hobbes described human nature as inherently selfish, competitive, and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation. He believed that in a state of nature, without government or social order, humans would be in a constant state of war against each other.


Hobbes the energetic although stuffed tiger in the comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes' is named after which 17th century English philosopher?

Hobbes the tiger is named after Thomas Hobbes, a 17th century English philosopher known for his work on political theory and the social contract. The creator of "Calvin and Hobbes," Bill Watterson, likely chose the name as a nod to Hobbes' views on human nature and society.