Christopher Columbus And Thomas Hobbes

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Imagining Christopher Columbus, a famous navigator who explored the Americas and paved the way for European colonization, and Thomas Hobbes, a well-known philosopher known for his political theory, corresponding to each other allows for exploration between their two differing views on earthly and divine rule. Columbus, who had the ideals of the 1400s religious convictions, and Thomas Hobbes, who had the blooming ideals of the 1600s skepticism, would present contrasting perspectives on sovereignty and divinity. A conversation between Columbus and Hobbes would lead to a debate that displays the differences between the pseudo-medieval worldview and the early modern perspective. If Christopher Columbus and Thomas Hobbes could correspond with each …show more content…

The execution of King Charles I is a clear display that rulers derive their authority from the consent of the people rather than a divine right. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Navigator Columbus. Warm Regards, Thomas Hobbes Response from Christopher Columbus to Thomas Hobbes Dear Hobbes, You are misguided as well as your words, and I hope that you will be ‘“freed [from error] and converted to our Holy Faith by love’’’ and my words (Jerusalem 265). To claim the legitimacy of sovereignty comes from a social contract among men that ignores the divine order that governs our world. God has led me and his people through our conquest and exploration, and it is his will that has allowed us to succeed, not a human agreement. Your view that God does not determine sovereignty disregards centuries of tradition and power given and willed by God. The victories of the Reconquista were clear signs of God’s favor. Our Highness “undertook the reconquest of the kingdom of Granada” with very little money and prevailed due to the workings of Our Lord (Prophecies …show more content…

Oh, how people have fallen. I hope God has mercy on those who have been misguided. I firmly remind you that divine sovereignty is essential for earthly rule, and human constructs like the social contract pale in comparison to the wisdom of God’s plan. Yours Sincerely, Christopher Columbus. Response from Thomas Hobbes to Christopher Columbus Dear Navigator Columbus, Your unwavering belief in divine sovereignty is, I fear, a broader reluctance to embrace reason and progress. The idea of divine sovereignty leads to tyranny and hinders the development of a unitary society. You speak of the Reconquista as if God had wished it, but all I saw was a series of political and military campaigns driven by human ambition. The social contract is not a weak foundation, but a natural agreement created by the people “seeking to escape the state of nature”. It holds the artificial sovereign accountable and ensures greater unity. The execution of King Charles I was a necessary step towards establishing a government where rulers are held accountable to the

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