Visions of the Forces of Nature in Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

Abstract

    In modern and contemporary times, naturalism has gained considerable recognition in philosophy, science and art, emphasising various forces at work in the natural world, including the physical side of human existence. Some found various positive aspects in them, while others found negative ones. What they had in common was the belief that what is most important in human life takes place in the temporal world and that human fate depends on the resolution of its problems. To justify this belief, significantly different visions of the forces of nature were outlined. In these considerations, he refers to two of them, namely the visions of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. The first one emphasises primarily the threats posed by the forces of nature to human life and coexistence with others. In the second, however, he finds significant support in them. Both visions have been and continue to be the subject of much discussion, not only among philosophers, but also among all those who seek an answer to the question: how to live in such harmony with nature so as not to harm either ourselves or nature?