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Hobbes Vs Aquinas Research Paper

1254 Words6 Pages

Numerous philosophers had their own particular perspective of natural law including Thomas Hobbes and St. Thomas Aquinas. Natural Law initially began in Ancient Greece and was an imperative part in government. Natural Law is said to exit within all of us with the ability of reason. Contradicting to Aquinas, Hobbes says that in order to do good, we must be forced to do good by the state. Aquinas says natural law exists in your conscience. They both depict how we should function as a society with their opposing perspectives on natural law.
Thomas Aquinas was a Catholic Priest and one of the most influential Philosophers. Aquinas, born in the 13th century, was inspired by Aristotle’s ideas on happiness and goodness. Thomas Aquinas was …show more content…

Aquinas says “we do have a natural property right over external things, since we have reason and will that can turn such things to our benefit”. He thought that it was important to have private property under natural law and believes private property does not contradict natural law because it promotes tranquility and obligations.
Thomas Hobbes was a political philosopher born in the 17th century. Thomas Hobbes did not believe law and morality came from religion such as Aquinas. This is seen today as the separation of church and state. To Hobbes, law and morality came from the government, many viewed him as an atheist because of this. Hobbes saw humans as self-centered and believed a government was needed to protect people from their own selfishness. Thomas Hobbes lived in a dark time, this may be why Hobbes did not think that human beings were naturally moral. He thought that society needed a leader to provide …show more content…

And both believe that human beings will agree to this law for the most part. However, Aquinas’ is based on religion and Hobbes is based on sovereign. Aquinas believes we obey laws because of God and in the pursuit of happiness and for goodness. Hobbes believes we obey laws in the pursuit of self interests and because of fear. They both agree that humans recognized the need and agree to the laws. Hobbes, like Aquinas, believes that laws are generally made and enforced to better society. The same goal is in mind, however it is basically Religion vs. Government. Aquinas believes Natural Law is unchanging, contraducting Hobbes, who believes Natural Law can change over

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