Preserving Order in Luther and Hobbes Essays -- Philosophy Essays

Preserving Order in Luther and Hobbes Both Martin Luther and Thomas Hobbes believe in preserving order. Their writings paint pictures of strong monarchs and obedient subjects. just while both men see it as wrong to overthrow a sovereign, they recognize that sovereigns are overthrown and that the sovereigns must do what they can to prevent this. On top of that both men see different causes for their sovereigns creation, set different ends for their sovereigns, and would limit the actions of the sovereigns to those specific ends. Hobbes, whose sovereign is created as an alternative to the order of nature, places the possibility of the state collapsing as the limits of that sovereigns power. Luther, whose rulers are appointed by God, would limit their power only by their fear of God. These differences play out in the few cases in which Hobbes and Luther give the people permission to disobey the rulers.Thomas Hobbes says that there must be a strong sovereign because it is the only pos sibility separate than the state of nature. In the state of nature every man is equal and having equal rights to all things, all would be in constant war against star another. In this case no one is assured that he will have the fruits of his own labor, and thus there is no labor done only life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short. That man would choose to remain in this state is not an option to Hobbes. He says that for men to seek peace and follow it is a law of nature. Thus for Hobbes obedience to the sovereign is a choice that everyone must make, because it is natural and reasonable to make it, and because it is the only option other than the state of nature. Martin Luther, on the other hand, does not really consider a state of ... ...military is large enough, and the people poor enough, that there is no chance for the people to rebel, then the sovereign may do what he wills and the people will have to accept it. Order will be maintained. However, if the peoples belie fs are moving towards ones promoting sedition or they have the material resources available too rebel then this will limit the sovereign and he will have act appropriately. workings CitedHobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Indianapolis Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1994.Luther, Martin. Admonition to Peace, A Reply to the Twelve Articles of the Peasants in Swabia, 1525. In Luthers Works Volume 46. edited by Robert C. Shultz. 17-45. Philadelphia Fortress Press. worldly Authority To What Extent it Should be Obeyed, 1523. In Luthers Works Volume 45. edited by Robert C. Shultz. 81-130. Philadelphia Fortress Press. 89.