Plato and Hobbes Present Very

Plato and Hobbes present very different teachings on the human concern with the good. How are their respective understandings of the ends of political life related to this difference?

In terms of their political philosophy, the Greek classical philosopher Plato unapologetically sees himself as an idealist, while the English 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes sees himself as a realist. Plato envisions a world that is governed by the search for truth and justice, while Hobbes values order and social stability above truth. Without order, Hobbes says in his classic political tract Leviathan, life will be "nasty brutish and short" (Williams 2006).

Neither philosopher is a democrat. Plato envisions a world that is ruled by philosopher-kings. These individuals are those whom are most 'fit' to govern, not necessarily the most well-connected, strongest, or most the popular individuals. They are not democratically elected. Rather, in an ideal world, everyone will fulfill his or her most optimal function. Those best-suited to be cobblers will make shoes, those best-suited to be warriors will defend the state, and those best suited to think will govern the populace, and determine what the next generation will learn. This will create a world where people can seek truth, where the philosopher-kings can lead their fellow citizens on a quest for truth. This ideal vision forms the core of Plato's text The Republic.

For Hobbes, because of the inherently self-interested nature of human beings in a state of nature, a sovereign is necessary to preserve order. Like the philosopher-kings, the sovereign is not democratically elected. But the sovereign is not chosen because of his or her ability to morally elevate the populace. Rather, he is chosen because of his or her strength. Strength, fear, and force are required to rule. The people have no right to overthrow the sovereign, even when he acts in a brutal fashion, because disorder is always worse than order. If the sovereign is overthrown, whoever succeeds him must assume equally strong-minded tactics to stay in power.

Plato's vision of an ideally-governed place is rooted his concept of the nature of truth -- he says that none of us can really perceive truth, we are like chained individuals in a cave, mistaking flickering shadows for what is real. Philosopher-kings strive to lead individuals out of the cave, and to perceive 'the real,' the pure and ideal world of the forms rather than the shadows of ideals. This idealistic concept is one reason why Plato is so determined that every human being assume his ideal place in the social order, whether working at a trade, fighting, or engaging in philosophy.