Thomas Hobbs biography
Background of Thomas hobbs
April 5th, 1588 an incredible man was born, and he passed away December 4th, 1679. Philosopher, inventor, writer, Thomas Hobbs was born in the small town of Wiltshire, England. He was a proud graduate of Oxford University. Before becoming the man he was, he tutored the children of a noble- family. Hobbs was born into a time of great chaos throughout the country of England. England
was divided against itself. The rich and
powerful were divided against the King and his power to tax. For example, when King Charles tried to raise
funds for a war against Spain and France in 1626, Parliament denied his
request. In response, the King used a "forced loan" to force individual subjects to finance. This action contributed to the rising
tensions between King and Parliament which eventually erupted in civil war.
Hobb's contribution to England
According to Hobbes, the only way to escape civil war and to
maintain a state of peace in a commonwealth is to institute an impartial and
absolute sovereign power that is the final authority on all political issues. Sovereign
power is the power and the authority to make and enforce the law of the land. Hobbes
saw society divided by region, religion, economics. Civil wars are due to
radial religious and political sects.
1. Levellers a group that called for greater equality of wealth and political rights.
2. the "Diggers" a group who called for the abolition of wage labor (set price for a certain task)
Hobbes greatest fear was social and political chaos... His philosophical works gave solutions to solving this political problem in England.
1. Levellers a group that called for greater equality of wealth and political rights.
2. the "Diggers" a group who called for the abolition of wage labor (set price for a certain task)
Hobbes greatest fear was social and political chaos... His philosophical works gave solutions to solving this political problem in England.
Hobb's Philosophical Works
1. THE ELEMENTS OF LAW (1640)
Which was Hobbes attempt to provide arguments supporting the KING against his challengers (written in response to conflicts between Charles I and Parliament).
2. DE CIVE [On the Citizen] (1642)
Has much in common with Elements and offers a clear, concise statement of Hobbe's moral and political philosophy.
In 1640's when it was clear that Parliament was going to turn against King Charles I, Hobbes fled to France for eleven years, terrified that, as a Royalist, he would be persecuted for his support of the king. Hobbes composed Leviathan while in France in which he articulated the philosophy of political and natural sciences he had been developing since the 1630's was finally published in 1651, two years after Parliament ordered the beheading of Charles I and took over administration of the English nation in the name of the Commowealth.
3. Leviathan (published 1651)argues that
A. Civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contact.
B. Government should function primarily as a device for ensuing collective security.
C. Political authority is justified due to the responsibility for the safety and well being of all.
D. Government powers should be based on the self interest and consent of citizens
Hobbes felt people should think of politics from the bottom up (coming/originating from the people)
Consent is fundamental
No divine right of Kings
No god given order in universe (churches of the time were powerful)
Politics created by HUMAN agreement
Without consent there is NO authority
Without authority NO PEACE
John Locke also defended Materialism, which is the idea that only materiel things are real.
Which was Hobbes attempt to provide arguments supporting the KING against his challengers (written in response to conflicts between Charles I and Parliament).
2. DE CIVE [On the Citizen] (1642)
Has much in common with Elements and offers a clear, concise statement of Hobbe's moral and political philosophy.
In 1640's when it was clear that Parliament was going to turn against King Charles I, Hobbes fled to France for eleven years, terrified that, as a Royalist, he would be persecuted for his support of the king. Hobbes composed Leviathan while in France in which he articulated the philosophy of political and natural sciences he had been developing since the 1630's was finally published in 1651, two years after Parliament ordered the beheading of Charles I and took over administration of the English nation in the name of the Commowealth.
3. Leviathan (published 1651)argues that
A. Civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contact.
B. Government should function primarily as a device for ensuing collective security.
C. Political authority is justified due to the responsibility for the safety and well being of all.
D. Government powers should be based on the self interest and consent of citizens
Hobbes felt people should think of politics from the bottom up (coming/originating from the people)
Consent is fundamental
No divine right of Kings
No god given order in universe (churches of the time were powerful)
Politics created by HUMAN agreement
Without consent there is NO authority
Without authority NO PEACE
John Locke also defended Materialism, which is the idea that only materiel things are real.