[Maelstrom]

Shall we deconstruct his thinking?

It shouldn't be difficult.

Men's actions are derived from the opinions they of the good or evil, which from those actions rebound unto themselves. - Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651.

Like all over-generalizations this is overly-simplistic. In the political arena, Men's actions are derived as often out of self-interest then any opinions they have of good or evil, and even then those aren't mere opinions, they are *principles*.

All men that are ambitious of military command, are inclined to continue the causes of war; and to stir up trouble and sedition: for there is no honor military but by war; nor any such hope to mind an ill game, as by causing a new shuffle. - Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651.

Like all over-generalizations this is overly-simplistic. The United States stands remarkable as a nation with the economic an military power to crush and occupy her opponents throughout the world and fails to do so. Her ambitious military commanders mostly seek to eliminate threats to her to end a conflict, potential confict or a future conflict within their carreers or lifetimes.

And we can go on with the rest of his quotes similarly.

[PsyOp]

You're right. So what does that have to do with my explanation of Hobbes and why I posted his quotes? Anyone can pull a couple of quotes and point out that they're generalizations. Besides, just because something is a generalization, even an overly simplistic one, doesn't mean that there is no truth in it.

In its time Leviathan was a seminal work of political tought that exerted great influence around the western world, including here. To understand politics today, it is always helpful to know its roots, whether you agree with them or not - whether they are generalizations or not.

[PsyOp]

Her [America's] ambitious military commanders mostly seek to eliminate threats to her to end a conflict, potential confict or a future conflict within their carreers or lifetimes.

As a former Army officer you will probably not find anyone who is in greater agreement with you on this. But Hobbes quote on this point was written in 1651. At that time in history, his observation on "men that are ambitious of military command," was all too true.

Observations like this were taken into account by our founders when they were deciding on how to structure our military, and was referred to in the debates on whether we should or should not have a standing army or a simple militia.

All of these quotes must be viewed in their proper context and with an eye towards how they were viewed by or founding fathers.

Go to my profile page. There you will find links to other quotation postings. When you finish reading them all, and those I will be posting in the future, you will see the patterns of philosophical influence that resulted in this great nation.