Hobbes and Kant Philosophy - 1779 Words

‘Both Hobbes’s amp; Kant’s theories of the state and its law are unsuitable in contemporary conditions of reasonable pluralism.’ Discuss. (Timed Essay in exam conditions – 1 hour) According to Rawls we currently live in a condition of reasonable pluralism, which means that there are many different comprehensive doctrines (those which explain the meaning of life, how life should be lived etc) subscribed to within the societies. Rawls argues that this means in order to have a theory of the state and law that fits this model, it must be neutral so all the citizens would agree with it regardless of what doctrine they subscribe to. The quote indicates that Hobbes’s and Kant’s theories of state and law do not do this and are therefore not†¦show more content†¦Therefore the law creates an equal sized sphere for each individual and polices the boundaries to ensure the different spheres do not interfere with each other, this allows for what Pogge terms as co-ordination, determinacy and assurance. Essentially the state and law allow our natural rights of freedom and equality to be realised, as they could not be put into practice in the state of na ture. Rawls would suggest that Kant’s theory is inappropriate for conditions of reasonable pluralism as there a subjective element to any idea of morality, and Kant bases his theory on the idea that we are innately and morally free and equal. For Rawls this leads to instability for the theory in the future as not all doctrines subscribed to would agree with it. However, it may be argued that in modern society there are ideas of human rights e.g. in the European Convention of Human Rights which seems to indicate that as human we do have these rights and the state and laws are being used to recognise them, even though we live in a reasonable pluralistic society. On the other hand, these human rights are within the content of the law, not within the foundations of the establishment f the state, so are not what Rawls is concerned with; Rawls is instead concerned with the neutrality of the actual foundations of the state and its stability in the future. Another problem for Kant may be in the way he deals with theShow MoreRelatedMorality : The Basis Of Morality1586 Words   |  7 PagesPhilosophy Essay 2 TOPIC ONE: THE BASIS OF MORALITY The basis of morality has been major area of discussion for philosophers for many years. In The Leviathan, Hobbes argues that desire and aversion determine what is good, evil, right or wrong, believing in a subjective self-interest based view on morality. In The Grounding of Metaphysics of Morals, Kant takes a rational approach, arguing that it is reason that plays a role in determining the same, thus having an objective view on morality. In myRead MoreKant And Hobbes s View On Morality1761 Words   |  8 PagesKant and Hobbes have completely different interpretations of morality. The vast differences between them is due to their opposing schools of thought. Kant’s view on morality is very analytical and strict. Whereas, Hobbes’ view is both provisional and tentative, depending on the outcomes. Although these differences between their philosophies were present, they both took a subjective stance in their reasoning meaning, they believed moral philosophy should be cente red on the person. This essay willRead Morethe disapering degree Essay examples792 Words   |  4 PagesPHI-305 16 FEB 2014 This paper renders a point of view on the ethical dilemma presented in the case study of the Disappearing Degree from the ethical stand point of view the writer. This paper also weighs in on the philosophical viewpoints of Hobbes, Hume’s and Kent’s theories that are consistent with their views on ethics and human nature. The View of the Writer In this Ethical Dilemma Connie has to take everything into account.Read MoreThe Enlightenment : The Greatest Impact Of The Enlightenment945 Words   |  4 Pages The world that current societies know today would be very different if the Enlightenment did not occur in the 18th century. With people like Immanuel Kant, Baron de Montesquieu, and John Locke, the Enlightenment was one of the most revolutionary events to ever occur. For example, Immanuel Kant explored human experiences, Montesquieu believed that there should be three branches of government, and John Locke believed in the social contract and the ability to own life, liberty and property. The ideasRead MoreThe Role of Reason in Human Behavior Essay1578 Words   |  7 PagesFreud and Thomas Hobbes disagree with Plato and Aristotle regarding the role of reason in human behavior, and all four of these disagree with Jean-Paul Sartre on the same question. Describe. Freud, Hobbes, Aristotle, Plato, and Sartre was all well-known philosophers which each one had their own theory on human behavior. The two philosophers Freud and Thomas Hobbes disagreed with Plato and Aristotle concerning their explanations about the behavior of humans. Freud theory is human behaviorRead MoreThe 18th Century Enlightenment1487 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophers, Kant, Voltaire, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Locke. These thinkers began to question the way of life in the contemporary world and discussed the potential of â€Å"man†. Immanuel Kant hypothesized that man is immature and has yet to find his true potential. Questioning the simplicity and purpose of life frightened some, as a result, the enlightenment polarized society, some of which were anxious towards change, others were excited to seek the potential of the human mind. The philosophy prior to theRead MoreEssay about PHILOSOPHY1293 Words   |  6 Pages how can there not be references to the work s of Thomas Hobbes and Immanuel Kant. The Fundamental Principles in the Metaphysics of Morality is used by the minority dissenting opinion to reiterate the concepts of the intrinsic dignity of man. While the majority uses the literary work the Leviathan to support their own opinions. Transforming and uplifting the case of Gregg v. Georgia into an arena for a debate of Hobbian and Kant philosophies. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;TheRead MoreHistorical Developments in Philosophy Essay1189 Words   |  5 PagesUniversity of Phoenix Material Philosophy Matrix | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Read MoreStatement Of Purpose For Graduate Study937 Words   |  4 PagesPurpose for Graduate Study Philosophy Doctoral Program at Stanford University I wouldn’t be doing philosophy if I didn’t think it progressed, and that we know now more than we did a century ago. For that reason, I don’t view its history as a story of the clash of defensible but irreconcilable views, from which the most we can expect is a sympathetic understanding of how things looked to the participants. (Scott Soames) For the value of the history of philosophy . . . lies not only in theRead MoreThe Philosophy of Thomas Hobbs Essay1748 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Hobbss philosophy Hobbes Moral: Thomas Hobbes is known best for his political thought and the English philosopher. The vision of Hobbes for the world is still relevant to modern politics. He always focus the problems of social and political order: that how human beings can keep away the terror of civil and difference to live together in peace and got authorize to decide every social and political matter. Otherwise state of nature anticipate us and closely remind us of civil war where there