Hobbes' state of war is the basis for his philosophical discourse on human nature. Where Rousseau says that man is compassionate and good to others in his nature, Hobbes argues that man is only out for himself. When the point comes where two men want the same thing, they become enemies of eac...

People in the western societies today are used to the idea of having rights and relying on them in their everyday life. Most of them would be aware of their rights and obligations. However, the picture would be very different in some eastern, African and Latin American societies. Still today there a...

John Locke, an influential early liberal English philosopher, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a brilliant political theorist and one of the main figures of the enlightenment, have a considerable importance in political thought, for which they are best known. The Second Treatise of Government by John...

Plato on Hobbes' view of justice According to Hobbes, justice must be defined as nothing more than abiding by the law. However, from Plato's point of view, this notion of justice is not adequate. Regards to human nature, Hobbes is very pessimistic, while Plato is less so. Based on differe...

Given that political obligation may be defined as an obligation to obey the rules and laws set by the state, although aside from this obligation, one would not feel obliged to do so, we find many explanations as to the motives of political obligation as set forth by David Gauthier. In his essay &qu...

Individualism During the Renaissance, individualism was a noteworthy concept which emerged during the era. It stressed personality, uniqueness, genius, and full development of one's capabilities and talents. Before this idea materialized, recognition of remarkable individuals of the Dark A...

Influenced by Republicanism, but not a True Republican The philosophy of a republican form of government was certainly not a creation of James Madison and the Federalists. The idea of such a government has been around since the beginning of political philosophy. While the definition has change...