Phl 103 Project E Portfolio Requirements

Phl 103 Project E Portfolio Requirementsproject Portfolios Document An

Develop a comprehensive e-portfolio that documents your research on a philosopher within the field of political philosophy, focusing on justice. The portfolio should include a title page, acknowledgements, table of contents, a detailed summary essay, an annotated bibliography, a research calendar, a material research folder, and a concluding essay. Your research must involve understanding your philosopher's argument thoroughly through explanation, critical examination, and evaluation, supported by at least 10 academic sources cited appropriately.

The summary essay, approximately 4 to 6 pages, must contain: a clear thesis with research question, an overview of your field of study, the historical and intellectual context of the philosopher, an explanation of the philosopher's argument, dialectical engagement critically examining the argument, personal evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, implications for the field, and concluding remarks. The annotated bibliography should list at least 5 academic sources aligned with your citations. The research calendar documents your semester's research activities, including discussion dates. The material research folder contains all sources and notes used. The final conclusion essay, 2 to 3 pages, summarizes your overall project, highlights its significance, reviews your critique of the philosopher's argument, and recommends areas for further study.

Your work should be organized, professional, and reflect originality with creativity, demonstrating your ability to distinguish your research and presentation. All pages require proper numbering and formatting. Be sure your research stays focused on your selected philosopher and area within political philosophy, such as justice, and engages deeply with the philosopher's primary texts and scholarly analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

In this project, I have undertaken a comprehensive examination of Thomas Hobbes’s political philosophy, specifically focusing on his social contract theory as a foundation for understanding the nature of justice and authority in society. Beginning with an overview of Hobbes's historical context during the English Revolution, I identified his core arguments about human nature, the state of nature, and the necessity of a sovereign power to prevent societal chaos. This provided the backdrop for a detailed analysis of his thesis that humans, being inherently selfish and equal in their capacity for self-preservation, enter into a social contract to escape the perpetual state of war described by his view of the state of nature.

Hobbes argues that in the absence of a common authority, human life is characterized by conflict, competition, and insecurity, described as the condition of "war of all against all." His three principles of quarrel—competition, diffidence, and glory—highlight the motivations driving individuals to seek power and security, further justifying the need for a strong sovereign. Hobbes's social contract, therefore, is an agreement among equal individuals to relinquish certain natural rights in exchange for security and order, which only a powerful sovereign can enforce effectively.

Critically examining Hobbes’s argument reveals both its strengths and limitations. His emphasis on the natural inclinations toward self-preservation and the need for a centralized authority resonates with many modern understandings of political stability. However, his view that humans are inherently selfish and aggressive has been challenged by subsequent philosophers who advocate for more optimistic views of human nature. The argument’s reliance on a powerful sovereign raises concerns about tyranny and the potential suppression of individual liberties, especially when the sovereign’s power is absolute.

Implications of Hobbes’s theory are profound for understanding the legitimacy of political authority and the justification for societal laws. His ideas underpin modern social contract theories and influence contemporary discussions about the balance between state power and individual rights. Furthermore, his realism about human nature remains relevant in analyzing political systems and state behavior today.

In conclusion, studying Hobbes’s social contract elucidates the foundational assumptions about human nature and authority that continue to shape political philosophy. While compelling in its necessity for order, the model also invites ongoing debate about the proper limits of sovereignty and the protection of personal freedoms. Future research might explore alternative theories of justice, including those proposed by Locke and Rousseau, or consider the implications of Hobbes’s ideas in contemporary political debates surrounding authority and individual rights.

References

• Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan. Cambridge University Press.
• Flebbe, D. (2015). Hobbes's Political Philosophy. Routledge.
• Gauthier, D. (1969). Hobbes. Routledge.
• Skinner, Q. (2008). Hobbes and the Political Condition. Cambridge University Press.
• Tuck, R. (1989). Hobbes. Cambridge University Press.
• Carlson, K. (2014). The Cambridge Companion to Hobbes. Cambridge University Press.
• Overing, G. (2017). Hobbes’s Political Philosophy: A New Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Brock, R. (2013). Hobbes's Political Thought. Routledge.
• Kelly, P. (2010). The Political Philosophy of Hobbes. Oxford University Press.
• Seel, C. (2008). Prophecy and Power: Political Philosophy in Hobbes's Leviathan. Princeton University Press.