In "The Freedom of a Christian," Luther notes that works such as transubstantiation are considered truly damnable when they are practiced under the false impression that, through them, one is justified. ... Luther felt that to preserve God's word, religion needed to be separated from politics, because he felt that during the 16th century, the aristocracy, clergy, and military were too intertwined; with one body corrupting the other. ... Luther believed that, while the realms are to be kept separately, because secular rule is ordained by God, it must therefore be followed. In thi...

• Word Count: 1464
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Growing up, and through his time in political office, Machiavelli studied the men and/or groups in power, specifically noting their successes and failures. ... Though this was more of a plot to try to gain the favor of Lorenzo, he does note in his book that in order to gain the favor of a prince, you must present him with a gift; which was the purpose of his essay. ... He says nothing, however, of the peace and prosperity to the citizens of Italy, but instead advocates the thought that it will increase the power of his country. ... Machiavelli uses this work to describe his intellectual just...

• Word Count: 1537
• Approx Pages: 6

"And here we have the plain difference between the state of nature and the state of war, which however some men have confounded, are as far distant as a state of peace, goodwill, mutual assistance, and preservation; and a state of enmity, malice, violence, and mutual destruction are one from another."" ... So one can understand how each philosopher's distinct idea of man's place in the state of nature leads him to his separate conception of the proper role of sovereignty in society. ... And the objective eye would look past the Fourth of July brouhaha and note that indeed very little...

• Word Count: 1544
• Approx Pages: 6