Jigsaw Review

Thomas Hobbes

Political Philosopher

Most famous for “The Leviathan” (1651) “civil peace and social unity are best achieved

by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contract”

Ruled by an ideal commonwealth—the figure-head

The people make up the body, while the commonwealth makes up the head

Thomas Hobbes Cont.

Depicts the “natural condition of mankind” (Nature) as inherently violent and awash with fear.

The idea of every man for himself in which people set out to destroy others.

Hobbes says that this is so scary that people naturally seek out peace The way peace is achieved is through social

contract (laws)

Nature vs. Nurture

Nature: “the belief that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of inheritance”(Cherry)

Nurture: “the mind is a blank slate and all of our knowledge is determined by our experiences” (Cherry).

Nature vs. Nurture Example

For example, when a person achieves tremendous academic success, did they do so because they are genetically predisposed to be successful or is it a result of an enriched environment?

If a man abuses his wife and kids, is it because he was born with violent tendencies or is it something he learned by observing his own parents behavior?

World War II

World War II

Involving more than 30 countries

Resulting in more than 50 million military and civilian deaths

Sparked by Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939

Hitler attempted to eradicate an entire people

Devastated the landscape of Europe