Essay about Morality Comparing Hobbes and Machiavelli

One of the main premises of Leviathan and The Prince is morality. Where morality 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 between the two works is the relationship between morality and the state. Both differ widely on where morality comes from and whether the state’s origin is from†¦show more content†¦If it pleases the people that you rely on, it can be considered good. In Hobbes Leviathan, the conclusion on the nature between morality and the state is that the Leviathan, i.e. the state, is re sponsible for the creation of morality and that without the state, man is without morality and is, in fact, a savage. Hobbes claims that the state originates morality by way of discussing human nature. He says: So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory...Hereby it is manifest, that during the time men lie without common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war...Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every manis enemy to every man; the same is consequent to the time, wherein men live without other scrutiny, than what their own strengthm and their own invention shall furnish withal. (Leviathan 592) What Hobbes is saying here, is that man, in a state of nature, is not moral.These three things (competition, diffidence, glory), are all that savage man has without government or without common power as Hobbes puts it. Therefore, the state remove s the state of savagery from the nature of man and puts in morality. There is a connection between the ideas ofShow MoreRelatedMachiavelli and Hobbes1493 Words   |  6 PagesMachiavelli 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 HobbesRead MoreIn Nature Of Politics, We Have Read And Gone Over Many1743 Words   |  7 Pagesthough rapidly shifting, image of politics and therefore can easily recognize similarities between the ideologies that is provided in these texts. For example, in Dostoevsky s writing, the Grand Inquisitor’s thinking is very similar to that of Machiavelli in the manner that crushing the â€Å"free will† and gaining control over the masses is extremely vital. When going into detail about the idea of â€Å"miracle, mystery, and authority,† the Grand Inquisitor’s rationality parallels the core ideology of Machiavelli’sRead MoreKey Differences Between Realism and Neo Realism2781 Words   |  12 Pagesconcepts. Realism is the oldest and probably most commonly adopted theory of international relations, highly valued among scholars and students. The author of this essay will analytically discuss the key differences between realism and neo-realism, by comparing and contrasting the two. Classical Realism â€Å"Realism is a term that is used in a variety of ways in many different disciplines. In philosophy, it is an ontological theory opposed to idealism and nominalism. ‘Scientific realism’ is a philosophy ofRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesthings are going as they should, management must monitor the organization’s performance and compare it with previously set goals. If there are any significant deviations, it is management’s job to get the organization back on track. This monitoring, comparing, and potential correcting is the controlling function. So, using the functional approach, the answer to the question â€Å"What do managers do?† is that they plan, organize, lead, and control. Management Roles In the late 1960s, Henry Mintzberg, then