Thomas+Hobbes

__**Analysis: Thomas Hobbes**__


 * //Historical: Beth Roberson//**

Thomas Hobbes revolutionized his ideas away from the dominance of the church by approaching political philosophies with scientific reasoning and questioning and collaboration with other scientists and philosophers of the time. In a biography by Ira Smolensky, she analyses his theories with the scientific community of the age. “Hobbes based his political theory on observation and reason rather than revelation or metaphysics. As such, he can be seen as a founding father of modern political inquiry and social science in general” (Smolensky). Thomas Hobbes “modern” approach to his philosophies were contrasting the constant religious thinking of the sixteen hundreds. At the time the church was heavily influential in both monarchy and parliament, and Hobbes’s work focused more heavily on the aspect of science. His scientific approach created distance between his ideas and those of the church. He was encompassed in Decarte’s ideas of the Enlightenment of questioning existence and where ideas come from rather than listening to the church’s teaching and listening to their authority in knowledge. He also challenged other philosophers at the time in order to build his argument. John Clay’s article on Thomas Hobbes supports Hobbes’ claims against his consider foe. “Long-standing foe, the mathematician and clergyman John Wallis, it was an ambition that suited Hobbes's turn of mind. …Hobbes was also an intrepid rationalist with an unwavering confidence in the power of reason…to resolve immemorial human dilemmas” (Clay). Wallis had opposing views of Hobbes as he was an important member of the church at the time as well as had credentials in mathematics. However he was able to uses his ideas as a platform for developing his “rationalist” interpretation of human actions. He challenged the church dominance at the time and powerful political figures in order to combat his ideas and use scientific reasoning to suggest man’s means of being. Hobbes’s political philosophy and ideas of man were challenged the church dominance and influence over other important figures.

__Works Cited __ Gray, John. “Hobbes, our great contemporary.” //New Statesman// 141.5124 21 Sept. 2012: 72-3. //EBSCOhost Literary Reference Center//. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Smolensky, Ira. “Thomas Hobbes.” //World Philosophers & Their Works// (2000): 1-4. //Ebscohost Literary Reference Center.// Web. 18 Oct. 2012.


 * //Cultural: Abbey Sweeny//**

Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy covers the defining line between religion and politics. Unlike many philosophers he cared about how people could interact socially and what proper political rule would have to take place to comfort individuals. Garrath Williams, of Lancaster University, wrote an encyclopedia article, stating, “ His main concern is the problem of social and political order: how human beings can live together in peace and avoid the danger and fear of civil conflict” (Williams 1). While he believes in this state of peace, he also understands the influence of “nature”. He believes in order, yet also goes on the record risking his own life to disagree with his peers. He talks so much about the interaction between politics and individuals, yet turns around and disagrees, politically and scientifically, with his religiously social neighbors. In the book //Thomas Hobbes Philosophy// there were arguments that Hobbes was an enlightened thinker, but because he was not born in the Enlightenment he cannot be considered one. This is proven wrong, within the same book, saying, “Regardless, it cannot be denied that Hobbes was on of the first men to apply scientific reasoning to human interactions” (Rosenberg 91). It is without a doubt in most people’s minds, especially those who are studying politics, that Thomas Hobbes is advancement in the understanding of politics and their interaction with society. At the time, there was a large church dominance, which was the equivalent to a political influence. He went against the religion, being an existentialist, which goes against the culture.

__Work Cited:__ Rosenberg, Aaron. "Thomas Hobbes: An English Philosopher in the Age of Reason." New York, NY: The Rosen PUblishing Group, Inc., 2006. E-Book.

Williams, Garrath. “Hobbes: Moral and Political Philosophy.” //Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: A Peer-Reviewed// //Academic// //Resource// 21 May 2003. Web. 19 Oct.

2012.

//**Aim: Samantha DeBonis**// Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, is most known for his work being an original and expressing his view upon the world. Garrath Williams states, “his main concern is the problem of social and political order: how human beings can live together in peace and avoid danger and fear of civil conflict”(Garrath). This statement heavily describes the relationship between Hobbes’s work and the Dalai Lamas’s book // Ethics for the New Millennium // because they are both are trying to reach an overall happiness as well as release the conflicts through out society. In relation Hobbes writes, “absurdity, to which no living creature is subject but man”(leviathan, v.7). In this quote Hobbes writes about the poverty of human judgment which can be related to the Dali Lama’s morals because the Dali Lama is telling people how to deal with the problem of human judgment and Hobbes is trying to bring up the danger that is used in everyday life. Over all Thomas Hobbes attempts to separate religion from government using the strategies put forth in his earlier work. The most evident statement of this is from “Thomas Hobbes” which states, “His special genius was his understanding that the philosophical foundation of science might be used to end religious and political controversies generated by the reformation” (“Thomas Hobbes”). This is one of the major details of Thomas Hobbes life through out history, this article also puts forth the accusation of him fighting to end the war from the protestant church within the government. Both major philosophers are developing a since of awareness to the amount of conflict in society, religion and government specifically) and trying to overcome it even though each are from different areas of the world. In result Thomas Hobbes attempts to concur and develop a plan in which he separates government and religion.

__ Work Cited: __ “Thomas Hobbes.” //Censorship// ( //Ready Reference series)// (1997): 1. //EBSCOhost Literary Reference Center//. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Williams, Garrath. “Hobbes: Moral and Political Philosophy.” //Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: A Peer-Reviewed// //Academic// //Resource// 21 May 2003. Web. 19 Oct.

2012.

//**Jishian Ravinthiran: Audience**//

Thomas Hobbes utilizes a scientific approach to explain the logical approach to political power to rationalists and scientists, who were not as religiously restricted as the rest of society. Gray emphasizes the context of the theory in his article by stating, “Anyone who grasped the elements of this science could apply it in concrete political situations but no one was as well equipped as Hobbes himself. As Malcolm puts it, "The point of his abstract political theory was to generate counsel on how sovereign power might best be maintained -- counsel which the author of that theory was best qualified to give” (Gray). Gray illustrates Hobbes using the medium of “science” to connect wit ha rational and logically adhering audiences because he states anyone who fundamentally “grasps” its elements could use it to facilitate their understanding of politics. He insinuates that the use of scientific “elements” helped give advice to the rationalists, who proving crucial to amending the knowledge of the public. Hobbes, however, did not completely neglect the public who was becoming slowly transformed by religious reform during his time. An article of the //Censorship//, “H e engaged in extensive, learned biblical interpretation designed to demonstrate that the term “spirit” is used in Scripture to mean “breath,” “wind,” and similarly subtle matter. God, therefore, exists but is material” (“Thomas Hobbes”). Thomas Hobbes did attempt to illustrate to religious leaders and citizens that the state superceded religion on all matters by showing them religion is “material.” His argument that “material” concepts and objects are on the same philosophical level, defined his position that sovereignty should dominate it in all aspects. By using the “biblical” language and understanding in his works, Hobbes attempts to facilitate a greater understanding by the religious population, especially the churches, so the opponents of his position would realize the essential place the government should possess. He does this knowing that the scientific elements from the last passage will not equate with all people; however, supplementing his works with “biblical” references compensates for that gap.

__Works Cited__ Gray, John. “Hobbes, our great contemporary.” //New Statesman// 141.5124 21 Sept. 2012: 72-3. //EBSCOhost Literary Reference Center//. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

“Thomas Hobbes.” //Censorship// (//Ready Reference series)// (1997): 1. //EBSCOhost Literary Reference Center//. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.