Machiavelli and Hobbes - 1493 Words

Machiavelli and Hobbes To be successful, one must have the appearance of virtuousness, but not necessarily be virtuous. At least, this appears to be true according to Niccolo Machiavellis works. Machiavellis idea of the virtuous republican citizen may be compared to Hobbes idea of a person who properly understands the nature and basis of sovereign political power. Hobbes ideas seem to suggest that most anyone can claim rightful authority as there is a belief in God, and one can under Hobbes, claim legitimate authority rather easily. There are few proofs. Machiavelli, on the other hand, takes a strong position and suggests specific criteria in terms of power. With Machiavelli, there is a sense of righteousness and fairness and while†¦show more content†¦This is an important point and to some extent divides the ideas of Hobbes and Machiavelli. It is difficult to imagine making law without God at the center. The two men seem to passionately disagree and have a grossly different outlook in terms of wh o is running the show. The embrace of God, or the rejection of God, is important in terms of how one views man. Machiavelli believes that good Princes make good law because there is an intrinsic right and wrong, but Hobbes really puts God at the center of the issue asserting that what is good is of God. There are several other differences one can note when comparing and contrasting Hobbes and Machiavelli. Machiavelli conveys the message that leaders must change with the times while it would seem that Hobbes would not support such a notion as Gods dictums are timeless. In many ways, the convictions that underlie Hobbes ideas are stronger. There was an incompatibility of religious ideas and a humanity that seems to be more equated with selfishness than with generosity. According to Machiavelli, one must have the appearance of virtuousness, but not necessarily be virtuous. That seems to be a contradiction and Hobbes would not likely support such an idea. At the same time, Machiavellis ends justifying the means hypothesis is not all that terrible. Those who would criticize the position would be comforted to know that the author fully expects a leader to look at every possible option andShow MoreRelatedMachiavelli, Hobbes, And Locke1791 Words   |  8 PagesCindy Kim Godrej Leslie Cox November 24, 2014 Paper 2 By looking at the readings of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke, there are a few distinctions between how the modern thinkers viewed politics versus the way the ancient thinkers believed politics should be. There are many topics both modern and ancient thinkers discuss in their writings, such as the purpose of politics, the science of politics, human nature, as well as the ideal regime. By doing so, these thinkers’ views on political topics suchRead MoreNiccolo Machiavelli And Thomas Hobbes1472 Words   |  6 PagesNiccolà ² Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes both have compelling views towards liberty or freedom. In relation to politics, the term liberty and freedom is an essential contested concept. Because we have no complete agreement as to what these terms concrete definitions are, we will always have politics. The two thinkers have provided a framework of what these two terms mean which laid out a platform for what the terms mean today. Machiavelli expressed his views throug h his works, The Discourses and TheRead MoreThomas Hobbes And Nicholas Machiavelli Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pages Thomas Hobbes and Nicholas Machiavelli embarked on the journey to create. Although depicted as nasty realists, closer reading into Machiavelli and Hobbes reveal the aspirations of idealists. 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The influencesRead MoreDifferent Philosophers, Nicolo Machiavelli And Thomas Hobbes1326 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophers, Nicolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. Both Machiavelli and Hobbes express their thoughts and opinions on the topic of human nature in their work. In Machiavelli’s â€Å"The Prince† dating back to the renaissance is one of the most controversial pieces of writing still studied to this day. Machiavelli believes that we are born either powerful or born as nobody’s or as â€Å"private citizens† as he describes it (Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapters 12-18). Within this piece Machiavelli outlines and providesRead MoreComparing Machiavelli And Hobbes Political Writings And The Leviathan1423 Words   |  6 PagesBoth Machiavelli and Hobbes have personal roots in violent historical times which are seen reflected in their respective theories about the use of violence in politics. The legitimate use of violence is a topic addressed by both theorists in their respective works, as read in Selected Political Writings and The Leviathan. Who has the monopoly over the use of violence, what its terms of use are, and what the consequences of its use are, are distinct from the works of both Machiavelli and Hobbes. Hobbes’Read MoreEssay about Morality: Comparing Hobbes and Machiavelli1203 Words   |  5 Pagesmorality comes from, how it affects people under a political structure and how human nature contributes or doesn’t to morality. Hobbes and Machiavelli differ widely on each subject. Machiavelli’s views on morality, based upon a literal interpretation of the satire The Prince, is very much a practical and realistic approach to the nature of morality and human nature. Hobbes’ views, based in Leviathan, are of a more idealistic nature, and my views are a little in between the two. One of the major connections