The Natural State Of Man - 2222 Words

Christine de Pizan, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Thomas Hobbes all formulated their foundation of understanding of human nature based on their personal experiences. Each applied their theories of human nature to political arrangements and how it ought to be reflected. Hobbes argues that it would be rational to contract with one another to create a government run by a sovereign holding absolute power, because only absolute power is sufficient to resolve disputes. Machiavelli argues that man has both moral and immoral qualities, but will lean towards his own self-interests when all things are equal—This leads to man being unpredictable. Pizan argues that as humans we are vulnerable within a society, and that there needs to be justice and the†¦show more content†¦Examining Pizan’s works proves to be interesting since she is the first western female to write about these particular issues. Her view of vulnerability of all was hardened further upon marrying her then husb and, Étienne du Castel as he encouraged her to continue on her educational path as opposed to stifling her progress. Lastly her choice to want to remain an independent woman after her husband death led to her being a pioneer for feminism. According to Kate Langdon Forhan, she believes that Pizan’s awareness of human nature, view of prudence as self-interest, and functional view of the state are the main issues that brought Christine de Pizan to understand human nature as she does. By doing the things that men in her era were believed to be doing, she was able to come to conclusion of the understanding of vulnerability of all. She was aware of the vulnerability of every person within the political order and therefore takes that up as a theme she addresses in her works. Her response is that we need more justice within the society and the rule of law. Niccolo Machiavelli was also a revolutionary of his era who had a different view from other humanists in his time, because his view on the nature of man contradicts what most humanists believed. Humanists of that time