Protagoras,+Hobbes+and+Machiavelli


 * In what ways are the philosophies of Protagoras, Hobbes and Machiavelli philosophically consistent (in agreement)?**

Protagoras, Hobbes, and Machiavelli believe that there are no true good and evil in this world; everything is up to personal interpretation. They also believe that because of personal interpretation, good and evil can be switched or intertwined because an action that one person may find good another may find evil. Furthermore, they all believe that humans naturally act in self interest due to their perceptions. Finally, all of these philosophers believe that pereception is more important than reality itself; in other words, it is more essential to appear good than to actually follow the law and be good.

Both Hobbes and Machiavelli hold that there is a connection between man and his property, and it is something we should take heed of. Hobbes describes man's need for government and a common power as a result of man needing to protect his property and rights to that property. Machiavelli makes note to point out that a prince must be careful not to become hated, something that would happen if the prince took his citizens' property/women. - Anna Merkoulova


 * In what ways are the philosophies of Protagoras, Hobbes and Machiavelli philosophically different (not in agreement)?**

Hobbes believes that people act in self interest, but should give up their liberties and freedom to do absolute anything they want in order to ensure thier security. Protagoras and Machiavelli both believe that a person should act in their own self-interest and merely appear to be good, but not to necessarily be good.

Hobbes believes in what is essentially an everlasting state of war that keeps mankind in check. Macchiavelli allows for a more interpretational and individual take on conflict i.e. what OUGHT a prince do. And Protagoras believes that man is a measure of the world. This coincides with Hobbes' theory of war and what its functions are because an everlasting state of competition is something that is not only measured, but created by man.