Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan in Todays Political Atmosphere
The Relevance and Significance of
Leviathan in Contemporary Democracy
__________________________________________
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts Major in Classical Philosophy
_____________________________________________
By
Sem. Leo Jay D.R. Salvatierra
2013
Chapter 1
Introduction
Background of the study If not democracy then what? “… A believer in democracy knows that every person has within him some sort of worth, whether it be the ability to lead a nation or the talent to make a happy home. A democrat believes that the seeds of worth in every person should have a chance to grow into full flower … Democracy is also an ideal of government. A democratic government is designed to give everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Lincoln, it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. All these ideas are really ideals. They have not been realised fully in any part of the world. But they are the ideals that democratic people everywhere are striving to attain.”[i]
“Man is by nature a political animal.”[ii] Also, man is basically a social being. (Tiempo, 2005 P. 45) “A social instinct is implanted in all men by nature.”[iii] Aristotle once said that life is about realizing actuality- reaching one’s full potential which will bring him happiness.[iv] Also, according to Existentialists, man is a project that needs to be actualized by discovering his potentials in a community. Moreover, humans are political animals, who can realize their potential only in the communal setting- in society. Thus, social groups are essential to a person’s existence. From his group he gradually acquires his basic social identity. He develops a sense of belonging and identification with other people. (Apolinar & Mendoza, 2008. P. 117) Moreover, man is a political being in a society and the social nature of man calls for active
Leviathan in Contemporary Democracy
__________________________________________
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts Major in Classical Philosophy
_____________________________________________
By
Sem. Leo Jay D.R. Salvatierra
2013
Chapter 1
Introduction
Background of the study If not democracy then what? “… A believer in democracy knows that every person has within him some sort of worth, whether it be the ability to lead a nation or the talent to make a happy home. A democrat believes that the seeds of worth in every person should have a chance to grow into full flower … Democracy is also an ideal of government. A democratic government is designed to give everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Lincoln, it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. All these ideas are really ideals. They have not been realised fully in any part of the world. But they are the ideals that democratic people everywhere are striving to attain.”[i]
“Man is by nature a political animal.”[ii] Also, man is basically a social being. (Tiempo, 2005 P. 45) “A social instinct is implanted in all men by nature.”[iii] Aristotle once said that life is about realizing actuality- reaching one’s full potential which will bring him happiness.[iv] Also, according to Existentialists, man is a project that needs to be actualized by discovering his potentials in a community. Moreover, humans are political animals, who can realize their potential only in the communal setting- in society. Thus, social groups are essential to a person’s existence. From his group he gradually acquires his basic social identity. He develops a sense of belonging and identification with other people. (Apolinar & Mendoza, 2008. P. 117) Moreover, man is a political being in a society and the social nature of man calls for active