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Questions and Answers
According to Hobbes, what is the primary motivation behind human interactions?
According to Hobbes, what is the primary motivation behind human interactions?
Hobbes considered interactions with friends to be genuine love for one another.
Hobbes considered interactions with friends to be genuine love for one another.
False
What term did Hobbes use to describe the state of nature?
What term did Hobbes use to describe the state of nature?
solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short
Rousseau disagreed with Hobbes, arguing that humans are born ______.
Rousseau disagreed with Hobbes, arguing that humans are born ______.
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Match the following philosophers with their respective views on human nature:
Match the following philosophers with their respective views on human nature:
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Study Notes
Hobbes's Philosophy
- Humans are inherently self-interested and driven by a desire for power, seeking honor and advantage from others.
- In the state of nature, humans are in a "war of all against all," characterized by constant fear and competition.
- There are no moral constraints in this state of war, thus individuals act without regard for others, leading to a harsh and brutal existence.
- This state of nature is described as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
- Humans form societies out of fear of domination and powerlessness, not out of inherent sociability.
Rousseau's Critique of Hobbes
- Rousseau argued that Hobbes mistakenly projected societal characteristics onto a primitive state of nature.
- He believed Hobbes wrongly combined traits of socialized humans with natural characteristics of the individual.
- In contrast to Hobbes, Rousseau believed humans are naturally good.
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Description
Explore the philosophical debate between Hobbes and Rousseau regarding human nature and society. This quiz covers Hobbes's views on self-interest and the brutish nature of humanity, contrasted with Rousseau's belief in the inherent goodness of humans. Test your understanding of these influential thinkers and their ideas.