Utilidade da Filosofia e Comodidades da Vida em Thomas Hobbes

Abstract

In De Corpore, Hobbes argues that ignorance about the purpose and utility of philosophy negatively impacts both peace and scientific progress by fostering the decline of living conditions. Therefore, disregarding the benefits of understanding the utility and purpose of philosophy becomes a hindrance to achieving peace, supporting the argument that philosophy, when correctly understood and applied, plays a crucial role in organizing and advancing the sciences, which, in turn, improves living conditions. The fundamental aim of this article is to discuss how Hobbes uses reason and philosophy as demonstrative tools to achieve peace and improve the human condition. The argument is based on the premise that, according to Hobbes, philosophy, as a product of reasoning and as something useful to human needs, is only made possible through the correct use of reason. To this end, the function of reason is discussed as a tool of calculation and an instrument for analyzing the means necessary to obtain immediate benefits, particularly concerning the enhancement of life’s comforts.