Philosophy And Absolutism Essay

Submitted By amsma781
Words: 1078
Pages: 5
Open Document
Absolutism is the system of government in which the ruler believes they have absolute power over the state. While Absolutism may have been popular among rulers such as Louis XIV and Charles I, classic philosophers such as Locke and Rousseau would be against the idea of Absolutism, stating how it does not meet the standards of a good and civil society, while Hobbes would be for the idea because it keeps order and peace among people. Between all three philosophers, it is not the idea of absolutism that changes, but instead it is the idea of human nature society. John Locke wrote shortly after the time of Charles I. He saw the aftermath of Charles I and how it was much more peaceful and civil than during Charles’ reign and would stand against the idea of Absolutism. He does not believe in the fairness of an absolute monarchy nor should it exist in civil society: “Hence it is evident, that an absolute monarchy, which by some men is counted the only government in the world, is indeed inconsistent with civil society, and so can be no form of civil government” (Locke, 289). Locke believes that an absolute monarchy would not match the characteristics of civil society because if a monarch became absolute then no one could pass judgment upon him or her. Locke believes in an equal society where no one is above the law, and that is why he has an issue with Absolutism. In this system, the monarch has put himself above the law. Locke states, “For he being supposed to have all, both legislative and executive power in himself alone, there is no judge to be found, no appeal lies open to anyone” (Locke, 289). Locke is saying that if a monarch has all the power, than no one can challenge him when he does wrong. Locke believes that everyone is equal and that people in government are no exception. Locke asks the question, “What fence is there, in such a state, against the violence and oppression of this absolute?” (Locke, 290). He asks, if no one can challenge the ruler, then what is to keep him from doing wrong? Who is to stand against oppression if no one has enough power? These are the main issues Locke raises against Absolutism. He believes that this system of government cannot stand in a civil society. Rousseau wrote around the time during the French Revolution, and saw what monarchy can do to a country. Rousseau would be against the idea of Absolutism for two reasons: virtue and fairness. Rousseau discusses in The Social Contract how he believes humans to be equal. He, along with Locke and Hobbes, believes this, but Rousseau also talks about the vanity of people. He states that vanity is our vice, and applauds virtue and Judaic Laws. His focus on virtue is one reason why he would be against absolutism. Absolutism deals with vices, in the sense that a monarch gives into greed in order to become all-powerful. Rousseau believes that a good society is virtuous, so if the leader of a country is giving into these vices, then there is no way the society can become good in Rousseau’s eyes. Rousseau discusses his idea of equality in the excerpt from The Social Contract, “Lawgiver.” Rousseau states in this excerpt, “He, therefore, who draws up the laws, has, or should have, no right of legislation, and the people cannot, even if it wishes, deprive itself of this incommunicable right, because, according to the fundamental compact, only the general will can bind the individuals” (Rousseau, 342). Rousseau is talking about democracy in this excerpt. He is stating that the man who creates the laws cannot enforce them, and only the people can create a lawful society. The only philosopher to agree with this idea is Thomas Hobbes, who wrote during Charles I reign and during war. Thomas Hobbes believes that man’s state of nature is naturally destructive and that the reason man created government is to create peace. He states, “Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep
Show More

Related Documents: Philosophy And Absolutism Essay

Absolutism: Political Philosophy and Absolution Essay examples

Sara Robertson Supporters in the 17th century were characterized by higher social ranks, and religions of absolution. The supporters justified their absolution by supporting their absolutist rule. There was a major criticism behind the government because with the absolution power it took power away from the government. Henry IV was a protestant who converted to Catholic, because when he became King no one would listen to him. Jacques reached the people by his preaching of sermons. Peter the…

Words 472 - Pages 2

Navigating Through Ethics to Find My Morality Essay

strive to become morally enlightened people, but we do so within the social context of cultural customs.” I am writing this report to show an analysis of different moral theories, explain which moral theory best align with my ethics, and explain why absolutism makes sense to me. First, as I began to learn about the different moral theories, I took an account of what my experiences have been during everyday situations. This self-analysis lead me Rule Utilitarianism, Divine Command Theory, and Ross’ Prima…

Words 897 - Pages 4

Moral Absolutism Vs Relativism Essay

Moral philosophy is distinguished by two main branches – absolutism and relativism. Absolutist philosophers argue that certain conducts and rules are intrinsically right or wrong, and are true for all time, regardless of circumstance. This conflicts with the assertion by relativist philosophers that there are no universal principles that can be objectively deemed morally correct or incorrect; rather that everything is circumstantial and should be judged on the basis of its context. Moral absolutism…

Words 744 - Pages 3

Philosophy Final Review Essay

what makes an action practically rational? Should I skip class, because I am doing well. Kant asked what makes an action good or what makes an action practically rational what to do, what action is need for some goal. According to Kan'ts moral philosophy, it is defined as the capacity of a rational being to act according to principles (i.e., according to the conception of laws). Unlike the ethical intuitionism Kant never held that practical reason intuits the rightness of particular actions or moral…

Words 4122 - Pages 17

John Dewey Totalitarianism

this reconstruction of social individuals of these new liberalism, the liberties and rights of the old liberalism which was clearly expressed in the Declaration of the Independence must now be discarded. Dewey argues that the old liberalism assumed absolutism which justifies certain social ills like the economic life, but further argues that the new liberalism through the intellectuals have ignored rather attack the Founding, since earlier liberalism did not perceive individuals as something that is…

Words 1672 - Pages 7

Isaac Newton and Scientific Revolution Essay

you see as the relation between the scientific revolution and philosophy of the eighteenth century? Philosophes were intellectuals who believed that there are reasons for all aspects of life. After the scientific revolution, scientists used reason and logic to explain nature; both philosophes and scientists sought reason. 2. Define natural law. Explain the relation between natural rights. The natural law was Hobbes philosophy that citizens had to give up their rights and agree with the…

Words 893 - Pages 4

Abbasid Research Paper

the Abbasids transformed the Muslim faith into a worldwide religion that spread across North Africa and Euro-Asia. The Abbasids constituted a new direction from the Umayyads by the expansion of the bureaucratic class which led to a strong from of absolutism, the acceptance of new religions, and the increase of the merchant class. Under Sharia law, the Abbasids created a bureaucracy that built a strong, unified absolutist order. Baghdad, the new central hub of the Muslim world, contained the continuous…

Words 703 - Pages 3

Bus 670 Legal Environment Of Business

situation can be analyzed under the ethical absolutism and virtue ethics theories. Ethical absolutism is an ethical philosophy with many diverse branches all tied in to the central idea that there are certain universal standards by which to measure morality. Under this theory is it believed that right and wrong concepts stand on their own never changing regardless the reasons for the individual’s actions (Seaquist & Coulter, 2012).Under the ethical absolutism theory misusing the resources is wrong and…

Words 1029 - Pages 5

European Renaissance Essay

many people began to question the things of the world and many found an answer through exploration and absolutism. As the years went by, many changes occurred and the view of religion, art and authority drastically changed. The Renaissance began in the fourteenth century in Italy where the culture was surrounded by the remnants of their empire. Italians rediscovered the writings, philosophy, art, and architecture of the ancient Greeks and Romans and soon enough the people encouraged humanistic…

Words 717 - Pages 3

Cultural Relativism: A Theory Of Ethical Action

Ever since we were kids and became aware of our surroundings, our parents and elders have instilled in us a fundamental awareness of what is right and wrong. It is actually an inherent trait of all humans and grows from our desire to get along well with each other in order to live a peaceful life. To achieve this way of life we understand that we must do to other people what we expect them to do to us in return. We try very hard to do what we feel and see as the right things to do in certain situations…

Words 1879 - Pages 8