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Hobbesian Conception of Human Nature: Moral Implications for Nigeria Society International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705 Hobbesian Conception of Human Nature: Moral Implications for Nigeria Society Big-Alabo Sotonye Department of Philosophy, University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria Abstract:-This work is on Hobbesian Conception of Human the mechanism of desire propel or moves, human beings to Nature: Moral Implications for Nigeria Society. It will be absurd act. Therefore, anytime humans do something, they are clearly indeed to discuss about Ethics and Society without talking about seeking satisfaction of their own mechanistic desires. the concept of human nature. In other words, there is no philosophy of life without a theory of human nature. Human In Hobbes view of human nature, his great revolution nature can be defined as the psychological and social qualities was in seeing the state as a human, artificial creation. It is not that characterized humankind, especially in contrast with other based on eternal principles (as in Plato), nor is it intrinsic to living things. The problem here is that Hobbes believes that the human nature (as in Aristotle) nor is it a divinely predestined state of nature was the worst case scenario. Hobbes was ready to institution (as in medieval thought). On flaw with Hobbes sacrifice all of his freedom to avoid the state of nature. Applying view and argument is that he believes that the state of nature this position to the Nigerian society, it is glaring that this view gives justification to authoritarian government and tyranny. This was the worst case scenario. He was ready and willing to work therefore intends to expose Hobbes concept of human sacrifice all of his freedom to avoid the state of nature. This nature and then apply his view to moral issues in Nigeria society. view gives justification to authoritarian government and Hobbes view of human nature has a much laudable appeal which tyranny. can make available a structure for modern day politics in Nigeria. Notwithstanding the issues inherent in Hobbes concept The aim of this work is to bring out the argument on of human nature it could be used as a yardstick in analyzing the intelligibility and necessity of a Hobbesian conception of some perennial, moral and political issues in Nigeria society. human nature applied to the current Nigerian situation. According to Thomas Hobbes idea and articulations, showing Key Concepts: Human Nature, Jen, State of Nature, Self- that man in the state of nature was poor, nasty, solitary and Preservation, Social Contract, Virtue. brutish and needed to form a society or government. One wants to insist that Hobbes concept of human nature has a lot I. INTRODUCTION of commendable appeal, which can provide a paradigm for the he main or fundamental question in philosophy is, who present day political demands in Nigeria by its citizenry. and what am I? The most likely answer to this question T However, the specific objectives of this study are; about human nature-what a human being is-will profoundly affect how you see or perceive yourself, how you see others, i. To look into some moral issues and challenges that and how you live. Human nature can be seen as the have overwhelmed the Nigerian government and to psychological and social qualities that characterized proffer possible solutions on how to handle these humankind, especially in contrast with other living things. In moral issues. summary, human nature simply means what it essentially ii. To sensitize and make Nigerian understand that they means to be a human being; what makes us different from have a right to place any government that has failed anything else. in its side of the contract and this could be done peacefully through voting them out. Psychologists long before now have looked and pondered on the question if human nature is essentially self- This work centres on Thomas Hobbes conception of interested or whether unselfish concerns would be able to Human nature as articulated in his book the Leviathan. For the inspire human beings. Various psychologists have advocated purpose of understanding the topic under discussion clearly, the idea that humans are essentially cruel and selfish. this work proposes, first, to treat the conception of human Sigmund Freud the father of modern psychology posits “men nature and its historical development. In course of this are not gentle, friendly creatures wishing for love, who simply research, only related and relevant works will be used to defend themselves if they are attacked….”1. Quite some evaluate the concept of human nature. number of philosophers concurred with Freud that human This work will employ the methods of exposition and beings are essentially selfish and aggressive. For instance, critical analysis to get a clarification of Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes the British philosopher argued for a similar conception of human nature in the Leviathan. The historical view. Hobbes who was a materialist holds the position that and analytic methods were used to explore the conception of everything in “the universe, that is the whole mass of things human nature in various philosophical epochs. This work will that are, is corporal, that is say body”.2 According to Hobbes www.rsisinternational.org Page 49 International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705 extract from both primary and secondary sources. The primary ultimate value. He went further to say that we should even source will be Thomas Hobbes book the Leviathan, and the forsake riches or honor instead of to act contrary to virtue: secondary sources will include journal, text and internet 4:5- The master said, “riches and honors are sources that are relevant to the establishment of this work. what men desire. If they cannot be obtained Hobbes view of human nature and his idea of the in the proper way, they should not be held. world is strikingly original and is still important to Poverty and meanness are what men dislike. contemporary politics. His major consideration is the issue of If they cannot be obtained in the proper way, political and social order. This in other word means how they should not be avoided”. The superior humans can live together in harmony, peace and avoid the man does not, even for the space of a single danger and fear of civil conflict. This work exposes Hobbes meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of conception of human nature, which prepossess that going into haste, he cleaves to it. In seasons of danger, a contract “with the sovereign or leviathan means that one he cleaves to it”.3 must have to be loyal even when the sovereign is going for According to Confucius, reciprocity is what he called and unjust cause just to avoid sanctions. Using this point, it is the heart of virtue. The firm agreed to treat others as you clear that those who are supporting the sovereign in Nigeria would like others to treat you. Meriting virtue is not an easy are obviously living up to the terms of the covenant into matter. Self-restraint in the use of one’s senses and in one’s which they had entered. conduct is a requirement of virtue. It needs us to put our II. LITERATURE REVIEW selfish impulses into civilized way of behaving. This type of self-control, he pointed out, is something every person must Approximately a century before Plato and Aristotle get or achieve for himself or herself .3 set the way for western philosophy by their well thought investigation into the nature of reality and the soul, a unique In conclusion, he pointed out that virtue should only method to philosophy was being developed in China. serve as the basis of person behavior but should also serve as Confucious, ordained to become the most influential thinker the foundation of political authority. For him, if the ruler in the history of china, came up with the methods and exercised virtue, then the citizens will by all means follow his concerns in philosophy which were quite different from that leadership. Consequently, if the ruler gives position to of Plato and Aristotle.3 virtuous persons, social unrest will come to an end. Therefore, virtue is the foundation of a well-ordered society and also the Conficious’s ideas are showcased or seen in his main key to peace within the state. work The Analects. His philosophy concentrated mainly on ethics and humanity. In fact, his philosophy is regularly seen Plato’s idea of human nature is clearly or obviously a as “ethical humanism”. In other words, this means that his direct consequences of his theory of forms. This is because we ethics is not based on religion but on human nature. This main know the forms, it follows that we have souls and our souls idea is said to be the unifying principle behind all his existed separate from our bodies before we were even born philosophy: into this world. Meanwhile our bodies are visible changing and subject to decay our souls are like the forms and so they 4:15- The master said, “shan, my doctrine is are invisible, eternal, immortal, and godlike. that of an all pervading unity” the disciple Tsang replied, “yes”. The master went out, Concluding that our soul’s i.e. our inner selves and the other disciples asked, saying, “what existed before we were born and will continually exist even do his words mean?” Tsang said, “The after our deaths, Plato felt that it is necessary to care for our doctrine of our master is to be true to the souls. According to Plato the soul is made up off three parts principles of our nature and the benevolent that most times struggle against each other.
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