Hobbes, Plato, and Citizenship, Essay Example

Hobbes and Plato are legendary philosophers who played a vital role in the shaping up of philosophy in the early centuries. The two philosophers played a key role of in the description of citizenship in with regards to philosophy. The purpose of this paper is to expostulate what citizenship is a norm and the traits therein. The issues reflected base their entire core on the importance of one being a good citizen. The analysis of the books written by the individual philosophers explains the point in a broader perspective. Ideally, the necessity of coming up with a realistic goal in terms of democracy and freedom are some of the points that will be linked to the main theme of the paper. The authors discuss various models of citizenship in different perspectives, not only that but also and how they relate to us in this modern day era.

A  Citizen is a member of a community has political rights and enjoys freedom within the constitution jurisdiction a perpetual manner is a citizen. Hobbes book entitled leviathan talks about the social contrast theory, this norm is the predominant Theme in the entire book and is the biggest contributor to his Theory. The existence of a citizen in a liberal democracy is vital as it leads to the creation of precise explanations to dominant issues that surround a democracy (Hobbes 165). He further on discusses the analogy of choice,  all human beings have and were born with as they entered this life. The explanation given by the author plays a precise role in explanation of  citizenship in a moral and political perspective. People have an option to decide whether to live in misery or enjoy Happiness. Most people are born with the same mental capabilities and biological abilities. This is to say the minority of the human population may lack these abilities due to their special cases but Hobbes strongly believes that we as humans have equality ion both hope and desire. The enemies of Happiness are given birther to by vainglory, competition and harmful shyness in which one may say that we are our own enemies. A deep Hobbes gives explanations that relate citizens and subjects that quite different in many perspectives compared to the explanation that Plato gives. By taking a deeper close look at chapter fifteen the author talks about the laws of nature with regards to an individual. The primary objective of this chapter is the expostulation of justice. This norm is a basic right for each citizen as the Author believes that it’s a fundamental right for everyone. It is the sole responsibility for each citizen to fulfill his promises according to Thomas. Further more he believes that promises made without consequences are just plain talk.when one willfully intents to do wrong and an unjust act is simply denying the fellow citizen his rights.

Plato definition of citizenship based on society, communication and politics.In his book, the reader is given an in-depth look at the classical conversations of the Greek philosopher, Socrates and the allegations brought against him by his captures.  The norm of citizenship is described in four conversations; in the dialogue is Titled Euthyphro who is the very first citizen who engages the antagonist Socrate with conversation. The two men exchange conversation back and forth in an Athenian court of law from whence we see the protagonist claims that he is innocent of the allegations of corruption brought against him by his accusers. Good citizens are entitled to piety and justice as from this first conversation we see that Euthyphro wins the first round by pinning down his opponent. The accused was unable to defend himself as he claimed he got his philosophy from the gods and he was on a path to wisdom in the second conversation in the book.   When we look at the second conversations entitled Apology ,the norm is a monologue.

Speechless and hopeless the heartbroken Socrates continues to make his defense in court he tries to engage Meletus his chief accuser and court only to find himself pinned down again. In his defense, his depiction of how he became a philosopher did not amuse his captures and sadly he was sentenced to the hangman’s noose. The issue leads to the creation of dominant points that surround the creation of varying perceptions in relation to the modern day philosophy with regards to justice and corruption. The idea of Plato has its basis on political justice and a society that relies on knowledge. A pupil of Socrates, he borrowed specific ideas from the teacher as the point is created to explain the necessity of basic theories that explains citizens. The similarity existing in the work of the two philosophers is the political connection with the description of citizenship.

Plato attempts to explain citizenship in a broader viewpoint in relation to the daily activities compared to Hobbes, One is able to derive this fact from the third conversation entitled Croto in which Socrates in thrown inside a prison cell. The Philosopher is paid a visit from an unlikely ally, Crito a wealthy Athenian offers him asylum in exchange he was to take leave and continue with his work.

Amazingly he turns down the offer and believes in the judicial system at that time .Indeed a true philosopher and a man of his word he believed that a citizen should be loyal to the state and “Justice is strong”. The understanding of Hobbes explanation of Plato is quite different. The explanation of the philosopher, explain the differences that exist in the creation of a precise line of understanding of the topic in terms of philosophy (Hobbes 175). Ideally, Plato explains that the citizens have some several obligations to fulfill that revolve around daily duties and purpose to the society, and based on the storyline of Socrate every citizen should abide by the law. Plato’s identification of citizenship with politics relates to Hobbe’s theory as they attempt to give a broader explanation about citizenship.

The Merelman model is a model that offers civic education in terms of citizenship to every individual. The model attempts to give a broader explanation of the term in relation to the Hobbes perceptions on the topic. This norm gives a broader explanation of the issues that reflect on the basic terms of the society. They are vital terms that attempt to explain the importance of understanding important concepts that reality that Hobbes is keen on explaining in his book. The explanation that citizenship is artificial elucidates the relation of the model with Hobbes articulation on citizenship (Hobbes 193).  The term is explained Hobbes attempts to explain the overall issues that allow the creation of concurrent concepts that reflect the general needs of the citizens.  When one takes a deeper look at chapter seventeen the norm of commonwealth is greatly exploited.in this chapter on is able to see that men will give up their freedom and also restrain themselves in a bid to seek protection. It is vital to consider that the relevant citizenship concepts in discussions are vital to the understanding based on the fact that key points are highlighted in relation to the dominant issues that citizenship and the Laws of Nature are not enough to base an individual’s rights in the current changing political environment. Therefore, the point creates the differences in the two philosopher’s explanations on citizenship.

The model deeply correlates with Plato and Hobbes concepts of citizenship. It explains that main political institutions are established because of their ability to deal with complex matters.As sad as this may sound in the last conversation on plates book, Socrates is executed, and Phaedo a student of now the late teacher engages Simmias and Cebes in conversation about life after death. During their last conversations we see the, student referring to his teacher in this words ‘‘ the wisest and Justest and best”.This shows us that it is mandatory for a citizen to obey the law no matter how unfavorable it may be. The issue relies on the ability of the society to come up with concise ways of adopting with the leadership structures placed by the authorities no wonder Hobbes states that when society is denied its rights it will eventually fight back. Contrary, Plato argues that the model explains the concise issues that are related to the creation of specific concepts that attempt to define citizenship in a specific manner (Plato and Benjamin, 144). The understanding of political issues is vital as it leads to the creation of specified concepts that affect the ability of the society to create concise ways of understanding the terms of politics. Therefore, the two philosophers play an effective role in defining the term properly.

The transformative model deeply relates to Plato explanation about citizenship compared to the theory that Hobbes gives. The philosopher attempts to explain the necessity of coming up with a precise goal that relates to the creation of existing political setups that require a perfect definition of citizens with regards to politics. The model explains the sources of power in relation to citizens. The ability of the citizen to influence the decision of the leads explains the concept introduced by Plato in a broader perspective (Plato and Benjamin, 144).

The liberal model of citizenship is the key term that defines citizenship in the modern context in relation to the explanation given by Hobbes. Hobbes explains that citizenship has its foundation based on liberty and obedience of the people in chapter thirteen. The explanation is different from the one that Plato gives in terms of foundation (Hobbes 213).  It defines the essence of a citizen in a legal manner

Hobbes and Plato differed in terms of the radical Communitarianism existing models of leadership and connects with the key purpose of leadership. The model attempts to explain the impact that radicalism may have on a leader. The point reflects on the effect of the authority on the citizens per say. The need to have in order to create a uniform line of understanding is vital in this perspective, considering the fact that is one several issues involved (Plato and Benjamin,144). The existing frustrations that the leadership may present its citizen’s aids in shaping the person’s behavior are important though abit politically of course. Hobbes and Plato explain the point in relation with the dominant issues that affect the ability of the society to come up with different ways of dealing with regular challenges experienced. The two philosophers explain the relevance of coming up with various ways of explaining the importance of citizenships.

In summation, The liberal model of citizenship is the key term that defines citizenship in the modern context.  The norm defines the essence of a citizen in a legal and Political manner. The ability of the term to understand the basic terminologies plays a vital part in this perspective, members of a community that is political enjoy the rights in a perpetual manner is a citizen. Hobbes describes the citizen as an important member of society owing to rights and obligations that the individual has with the law of the land.

Works Cited

Plato, and Benjamin Jowett. The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues. New York:     Dover Publications, 1992. Print.

Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press, 1991. Print.