Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli are often considered realists, but that term has many versions, all unalike. Overall, Hobbes version of realism provides a better lesson for today’s political times when compared to Machiavellis. I will be comparing varying definitions of realism through specific views on each author's opinion on human nature, Christian and scholastic views, and violence and security. Machiavelli has a cynical view of human nature. He believes that human nature is fickle
Three prominent political theorists were Aristotle, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Thomas Hobbes. Aristotle viewed humans as natural “political animals” that have both rational and irrational sides to them, allowing for a government that provided overall goodness for the people. Machiavelli took a more grim view of human nature that shows humans as being naturally selfish and ambitious, so the government should be about greatness and maintaining power. Hobbes believed that in their natural state, humans are
Thomas Hobbes and Niccolò Machiavelli are known to be philosophers whom have helped to develop the views of political power and human nature. Both men had very different views from one another, yet at the same time they did indeed have many similarities. From having opposite views on Political Power, to having alike views on Human Nature, Hobbes and Machiavelli are men whom have shaped political philosophy throughout our time. Through the works of Machiavelli’s, The Prince and Hobbes’ Leviathan their
This paper offers an analysis of Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes in order to argue that even though their political philosophy is different from ours. It still has significance in a social context and these thinkers’ are very much relevant in today’s society. Both political philosophers’ were writing during a time when there was political turmoil and rising tensions were a consistent occurrence. In the first part of this essay, I will analysis Machiavelli’s political philosophy, such as historical
Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes are both philosophers that would discuss power, but each focusing on fundamentally different aspects of it. One focusing on the practical method of maintaining power, and the other, the philosophical implications of obtaining power, and how it comes to be. On one side, we have Niccolo, who thought the work of “the prince”, tries to form instructions for Lorenzo De Medici, on how the leader should rule. Niccolo goes for a practical approach on how to
Political Ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, Francesco Guicciardini, and Thomas Hobbes The sections that I will be presenting are 73, 74, and 75. I will discuss the political ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, Francesco Guicciardini, and Thomas Hobbes during the time of Florence Republic. First, Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1469 at a time when the country was in political upheaval. Italy was divided between four dominant city-states, by which each of them was always at the mercy
in the writing of Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince and Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan. Primarily, I will begin by explaining each of the authors’ approaches to obtaining and maintaining political stability; I will then identify the differences in their approaches. Secondly, I will discuss and compare each of their ideologies concerning humanity and then I will be highlighting their commonalities on the subject. Lastly, a conclusion will be provided consisting of my opinion. Thomas Hobbes notes, “The Passions
perspectives of human nature. Political science is an extremely social discipline, and this justifies the diversity of thought and opinion regarding this subject. This is especially reflected in the views of the human race between Aristotle, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, and Sigmund Freud. Though each of the four had expressed unique, profound, and compelling views of the nature of politics, Freud’s perspective of human nature and civilization resonated with me as the most realistic and eye-opening
qualities. René Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy, Niccoló Machiavelli’s The Prince, and Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, support this ideology that the depth of human beings fall beyond reason, solidifying that emotions are also a foundation to human existence. Thomas Hobbes adds significant insight to the claim that human existence stretches beyond the voice of reason and speaks to the emotional attributes of the human mind. Hobbes argues that emotion is a part of the foundation to humans existence
Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli In this paper I will discuss Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan) and Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince) views on the treatment of nature, society and government. I will show a comparison between the views of each and whether the time in which they wrote these books had any effect on their views. Thomas Hobbes and Machiavelli shared an interconnection in the time period in which they each lived with 100 years between them. Both Machiavelli and Hobbes discussed the human