Sunday, September 16, 2012
Hobbes
I actually enjoyed reading this, much more simply put that Plato! (: I did find it interesting how in high school Hobbes is portrayed as some horrible cynic, Rousseau as a deluded idealist and Locke gets all the praise; but to actually READ some of the things that Hobbes put forth, he seems very level headed, not entirely cold and cynical. (At least that was my experience) I also found it interesting how the ninth law of nature states every man should acknowledge that every other is his equal by nature. Considering that this was written during the mid 17th century, this sentiment is strange given that England was still involved in the slave trade, and women were still considered frightfully inferior to men. Hobbes also uses 'a man' rather than just general 'man'- is that meant to imply that his laws only apply to men? Why would women have been exempted from these laws?
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I agree it was an easy read! That is a good point about 'a man' i didnt think about that but thats a good point!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this reading was a lot easier to read than the others and it was interesting to hear Hobbs views on things, because I never learned that much about him in high school.
ReplyDeleteI agree this was a lot easier to read than Plato and I think that Hobbes says " a man" because it was the men who really needed to change it wasnt because he felt that women were less important. In most of his writings, he talks about equality for everyone not just men so even though he does talk more to the male audience the rules can definitely apply to women as well.
ReplyDeleteWomen were exempt because at that time, under English law, they were property, not persons. Sucks, huh? Good post.
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