Personal Freedom in Leviathan and Candide Essay - 1621 Words

The basis of Leviathan relies upon a theoretical readjustment of the state of social affairs. Candide, on the other hand, is that state of social affairs. Whereas Hobbess Leviathan relates that of how the state of human nature can be changed and adapted to a desirable social order, Voltaires Candide shows the difficulty of being within the sorry state of the human experience. But where does the concept of personal freedom come into play within these two basic premises? And how can a person compare such highly different interpretations of the spectrum of personal experience? Hobbes has presented to the reader a geometric and organized map of an ideal governing situation. Man is a product of nature. But the interpretation of†¦show more content†¦It should be taken into account that Candide is by no means a scientific geography of human existence like that of Hobbess work. It is, rather, a satire of the human experience. The character Candide is, initially, sickeningly optimistic. He and his educator, Pangloss, observe a strict adherence to the philosophy of Leibniz. Pangloss, in a oddly cheery mood declares his philosophy: It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end... Consequently, those who say everything is well are uttering mere stupidities; they should say everything is for the best (Voltaire 2). Here is the basic satirical idealism of the beginning of Candide. Candide and Pangloss look for the best in all life situations (Pangloss quite comically claims that although the new world brought syphilis, it brought chocolate as well). Yet, Candide, after being thrown out by the baron, is forced into a series of events that will slowly change his opinion of life and force him to reexamine the cost of personal freedom. Being thrown into the midst of horrible events like civil war, Candide comes face to face with the ugly state of nature, a nature not unlike the uncivilized State of Nature in Leviathan. There is still that right to survival, and this isShow MoreRelated A Comparison of a Hobbsian World and the World of Candide2234 Words   |  9 PagesThe Disparity between a Hobbsian World and the World of Candide    In an anarchistic Hobbsian world, man leads a purely selfish existence, perpetually waging war against his fellow men.   In this world Nature subsists as a playing field for evolution: only the strong and cunning survives, and even survival results in life that is nasty, brutish, and short (Hobbes).   However, with restraints (that is, government), a Hobbsian world can blossom into society.   According