Essay on Political Philosophers - 471 Words

Political Philosophers Jeremy Bentham figured that laws should be socially useful and not merely reflect the status quo. While he believed that men inevitably pursue pleasure and avoid pain, Bentham thought it to be a sacred truth that the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation. Bentham supposed that morality could be derived from enlightened self-interest, and that a person who always acted with a view to his own maximum satisfaction in the long run would always act rightly. Bentham is comparable to William Godwin. They resembled one another in their contempt for the past. While each preached the need for nonviolent revolution, each had a different following. Benthams revolution†¦show more content†¦Godwin believed it was impossible to be rationally persuaded and not act accordingly, and that man could live in harmony without law and institutions. He believed in the perfectibility of man. The two works Godwin is remembered for are An Inquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793) and Caleb Williams (1794). Rousseau was the author of Discours (1755), and, of course, his masterpiece, Contrat social (1762). Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains. And man must be forced to be free. These were the notions of Rousseau and those who followed him. Rousseaus concept of a social contract (via., that there existed unstated reciprocal obligations between the people and government) is not near as upsetting as his view that the existing social conventions should be immediately upset like a barrow of apples at the Saturday morning market: every apple, all at once, to be bruised and kicked. What Rousseau failed to observe or appreciate is that the state is an organic organ which has evolved over a very long time and runs (and can only run) on culture and custom. It would take a lot more than long years of war to change the fundamental beliefs of a people. It would take a lot of time, and several generations will have had to pass, with wise men in power applying gentle non-hurting pressure (s imple and steady pressure). Going against the writings of Godwin and Rousseau, Malthus, in his famousShow MoreRelatedSocrates And Machiavelli : A Political Philosopher1666 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli appear to have a lot in common.   They both lived in a time of political unrest and violence. They both dealt with uncertain surroundings in their societies. Most importantly, they both tried to use philosophy to improve their society. However, there was also an important difference between them. While Socrates was a moral philosopher whose goal was to search for truth and knowledge, Machiavelli was a political philosopher whose goal was to create a lasting society with a Prince that could holdRead MoreThe First Modern Political Philosophers1839 Words   |  8 PagesThomas Hobbes and John Locke are viewed as the first modern political philosophers. 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