The importance of government between both states define their true nature through self-interest and finding their morality. Both philosophers Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes confront the issue of human nature through the Prince and the Sovereign. These philosophers have the power to analyze people and their actions. Although from different times Hobbes idea of human nature was similar to that of Machiavelli’s. The former’s writing of the Leviathan during the civil war impacted his ideas, being more critical on men.
In his story, The Prince, Machiavelli sets out to demonstrate what human nature is all about. He begins by analyzing the way in which people have acted (mainly man) individually, as well as, he looked for collective traits…show more content… Too much mercy from the Prince will allow chaos to arise, which he does not want, he rather offend the individual only, in order to keep his loyalty. Hobbes agreed with Machiavelli that individuals are…show more content… Machiavelli does not like to enhance the imaginary state of nature; where Hobbes does. Although Machiavelli does argue that, since there is nothing virtuous between individuals, dismissing the notion of peace is acceptable. Without peace the governance of the state is diminished resulting in self-interest and morality. Hobbes mainly focused on how a society would function without and laws/rules, he believed that citizens would simply act unwisely just to get their full enjoyment in life. In addition, he contrasted a lot on how the state of nature should act. “To this war of every man against every man, this also is consequent; that nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice have there no place.” (Hobbes, XIII, 49) According to his theory, where there is no common power there is injustice. Life if not immoral but it is also not amoral, if “every man has a right to everything; even to one’s another body.” (Hobbes, XIV, 50) Since there is no government to tell individuals how to act, killing someone, in the state of nature is like allowing an individual to live. Without any rules or governance, they both come to mean the same. In this case all men are represented violently, although Hobbes knew that to prevent destruction in the society higher power had to be enforced. Hobbes had a much more severe view than Machiavelli. Machiavelli argued