Nietzsche And Hobbes Essays - Friedrich Nietzsche, Anti-Christianity

Nietzsche And Hobbes How are the philosophies of Nietzsche and Hobbes different on topics of Christianity, Human Nature, and Morality. The philosophies of Nietzsche and Hobbes' are radically different, Hobbes' philosophy is dominated by loyalty to the crown, riddled with references to the Christian scriptures, and a belief that life is "nasty, brutish, and short"(Leviathan, 133); while Nietzsche's philosophy was dominated by the pessimistic Schopenhauer, a belief that the human race was a herd, and that "God is dead"(Thus Spoke Zarathustra, S. 13). Hobbes and Nietzsche look at the world completely differently. Hobbes was a Christian who defended the bible, while Nietzsche called "Christianity the one great curse"(The Anti-Christ, s. 62). On the topic of human nature Hobbes thought life to be a "warre...of every man, against every man"(Leviathan, 232) while Nietzsche took a nihilistic approach and declared that " human nature is just a euphemism for inertia, cultural conditioning, and what we are before we make something of ourselves..."(Human, all to Human, 67). On morality these two philosophers have opposing views, Hobbes views on morality were straight out of Exodus, while Nietzsche holds that"morality is a hindrance to the development of new and better customs: it makes stupid [people]"(Daybreak, s. 19). These two philosophers lived at different times, in different locations, and their differing philosophies reflect the lives that they lived. Thomas Hobbes was born into an English upper class family in 1588, his father was the parish priest. Thomas was educated by his uncle until he was fifteen, when he was sent to Oxford to continue his studies. In 1608 he finished his formal education and took up with the son of Lord Cavendish, they undertook an adventure which saw them travel across Europe. Hobbes remained in England until the start of the English civil war when he fled to France. The civil war took place from 1642 till 1649, this conflict had a profound affect on Hobbes, particularly the execution of Charles I in 1649. All his writings after this event reflect Hobbes' quest to find a peaceful, stable form of government. Hobbes died in 1679. Fredrich Nietzsche was born into a upper class family in Germany, on 15 October 1844, his father was tutor for the royal family and also a priest. Nietzsche father died when he was twelve, this had life-long impact on him. At age eight-teen he discovered the philosopher Schopenhauer, the basis for much of his early work, and gave up Christianity. He was educated at the University of Bonn, at the age of twenty-five Nietzsche was appointed Professor of Philosophy at the University of Basle. He became close friends with composer Richard Wanger, who's work he enthusiastically supported. Nietzsche most productive years were to be his last, he drove insane by syphilis and died at the dawn of this century. Nietzsche declared in that"modern Christian civilization is sick and must be overcome"(The Anti-Christ, 156), Hobbes would have found that excerpt to be repugnant having declared that "God...when he speaks to any subject...he ought to be obeyed" (Leviathan, 492). Hobbes was a Christian, while Nietzsche was a atheist, their views on Christianity are completely opposite. Nietzsche held the belief throughout his life that "Christianity has taken the side of everything weak, base, ill-constituted, it has made an ideal out of opposition to the preservative instincts of a strong life; it has depraved the reason even of the intellectually strongest natures by teaching men to feel the supreme values of intellectuality as sinful, as misleading, as temptations,"(The Anti-Christ, S. 5) Professor Howard Rainer of Davis University states that "Nietzsche was uncompromisingly anti-Christian, for Christianity was the most potent force against those values which he prized most highly." Nietzsche felt that Christianity would hinder the emergence of the "overman"(The Will to Power, 546), a human being that follows their own path and not the herd's. Hobbes while being a Christian to the end, had a rather pessimistic view of it; Professor Ian Johnston of Malaspina University states that " Hobbes believed the public religion of the artificial state must serve the need for security to protect the selfish economic interests of the individuals composing it." Hobbes view of Christianity was quite radical for his time and he publicly scorned for his belief that Christendom was nothing more economic security blanket; Hobbes attacked the elements in the Christian church which profited from religion. The times in which Hobbes and Nietzsche lived in were very different, in Hobbes times "Deadly religious wars were fought across the European continent. It was in this climate the Thomas Hobbes proposed...[his] philosophy."(Howard Rainer, Lecture

Sociology Vs Psychology (research paper) essays

Sociology Vs Psychology (research paper) essays Looking at social issues and social processes in other societies help us see our own society more clearly. Furthermore, events, trends, and personalities within society are shaped by global forces which may be beyond our control but not beyond our understanding. That's why there are sociology and psychology. Although, they are both social sciences, they use different methodology. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior. As the study of humans in their collective aspect, sociology is concerned with all groups activitieseconomic, social, political, and religious. It is a science which seeks to provide sophisticated explanation to peoples behavior. Sociology is a social science because its subjects are human beings, people's social behavior. It investigates the structure of groups, organizations, and society interaction within these contexts. Sociology also offers research that can be applied to any aspect of social life: street crime, delinquency, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, or problem of peace and war. Sociology begins with the observation that human are intensely social creatures. Virtually everything people do, they do with others. They are constantly building and rebuilding groups. From families and lunchroom cliques, to multinatio nal corporations and international alliances. The structure of society both creates and limits opportunities, but the main lesson and message of sociology is that the structure of society affects people's attitudes and behavior, often in ways they don't consciously perceive. Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes, and it has grown out of many, often conflicting traditions. Seven perspectives dominate modern psychology: the biological, evolutionary, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, and sociocultural views. ...