Hobbes assignment

Hobbes assignment

“Nature hath made men so equal, in the faculties of body and mind, as that though there be found one man sometimes manifestly stronger in body, or of quicker mind than another; yet when all is reckoned together, the difference between man and man is not so considerable, as that one man can thereupon claim to himself any benefit, to which another may not pretend, as well as he. For as to the strength of body, the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself . . .”

“And as to the faculties of the mind . . . men are . . . [more] equal than unequal . . .”

Hobbes is basically saying we are all created equal or very close to equal. Some may be stronger in mind, some may be stronger in body, but when it is all added up, we are created equal or very close to equal.

Even before reading this passage, this was my train of thought. We are created equal, but through hard work and determination people can better themselves and the crème rises to the top, so to speak. I’m a big believer in equal rights for people. I don’t think people should be discriminated against for any reason, be it race, religion, sex, sexual preference, or any other number of factors that could fit in this list. (adding this late): I also believe in a democracy like the one we have in this country where the people vote for their leader, and people to keep that leader in line (congress), so he doesn't have too much power. I do not think dictatorships or monarchies have a place in this world.

This excerpt from Hobbes reminds me of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.