The renown Greek philosopher, Socrates, once said, "True wisdom comes to

each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves,

and the world around us". Socrates words indirectly relay the need that
human beings have to gain knowledge and reach a higher level of
understanding. This need has been displayed throughout our history where
primates have evolved to become curious creatures, constantly questioning
the elements in life. Our desire to understand encourages us to develop
different theories and assumptions about the unknown. Former philosophers,
who have tried to make sense of the universe by stating such claims and
assumptions, presented views that are accepted and endorsed by current
philosophers. The theories of Thomas Hobbes and Joseph Butler are reflected
through the song, Human, by Jon Bellion and Ben Parker's With My Own Two
Hands, as well as the theory of reality, which is mirrored by the lyrics in Gary
Jules' Mad World.
Human nature refers to the natural ways that we think, feel and act. Over the
course of our existence, the world has evolved to the technology based
universe that it is. However, the nature of human remains constant, as
observed through various mediums. Jon Bellion's Human is a mirage of the
view that Hobbes expresses, regarding the characteristics of a human being.
Hobbes belief lowers the reputation of humans as he describes them as
aggressive, greedy, and sinful. Similarly, Bellion depicts himself as a true
human being and recognizes his faults. He agrees to being selfish and
greedy, as he "spent four thousand on the Mart McFlys" and confesses
"There's someone gorgeous in my bed tonight". Bellion is unable to escape
his human nature and abandon his sinful lifestyle. His thoughts prove Hobbes
opinions to be even truer as Bellion describes himself as selfish: "My mother
calls I have no time to talk, But I can find the time to drink and smoke". Unlike
Butler's support for altruism, which promotes selfless interest for others, both
Bellion and Hobbes depict humans as egoistic, and being self-interested. In
his lyrics, the singer says that his lust for substances (self-interest) outweighs
the need to speak with his mother. He concludes by saying that he's "so sick
of being human", as the selfish desires within humans have led him to his
depressed state. The four noble truths in Buddhism state that Dukkha
(suffering) is caused by lust and greed; Bellion's lust and selfishness leads
him to his suffering.
Selfishness is not the true aspect of human nature, as said by Butler, whose
belief states that humans are benevolent and posses a greater desire to aid
others. However, his view recognizes that humans are interested in their own
good but this self-love does not clash with our need to do perform good
deeds. Ben Parker's With My Own Two Hands, amplifies Butler's theory,
through its lyrics. The singer says," I can change the world, With my own two

hands, Make a better place, With my own two hands". He implies the
message that he is capable of bringing positive change and making a
difference to the suffering world: "I can make peace on earth, With my own
two hands". Both Butler and Parker agree on the term of helping others and
practicing good deeds. Furthermore, Parker makes a promise to perhaps
himself and the world: "I'm gonna make it a brighter place (with my own), I'm
gonna make it a safer place (with my own, I'm gonna help the human race
(with my own). Unlike Hobbes theory on the self-centeredness that surrounds
humans, Parker's thoughts are evident of the selfless nature that we have.
Through his lyrics, Parker rectifies Hobbes's views and proves that humans
are more inclined to help one another rather than help themselves.
Furthermore, his song mirrors the theory of the Chinese philosopher, Menghzi
who, along with Butler, present humans in a positive light.
As humans, we seek to find the truth, whether it is the truth behind a "fact"
or the ultimate truth of reality. We exist in a complex world where we live our
lives the way we've been told to, without any questions. We learn to deceive
ourselves to believe the "truths" of the world. Gary Jules explains the "mad
world" that we live in and implies the boring and repetitive days we repeat,
through the lyrics of "Mad World". Jules explains, "All around me are familiar
faces, Worn out places, worn out faces, Bright and early for their daily races,
Going nowhere, going nowhere". The singer and songwriter recognizes our
deceptive reality as well as those who deceive themselves to ignore the truth
behind the mad world. Furthermore, he continues to explain that humans
remain in denial to the truth and that "their tears are filling up their glasses"
with "no expression". Perhaps it is our need for security that promotes this
consistency. Jules concludes his philosophy with advising the listener:
"Enlarge your world, Mad world".
All in all, the similarities between the philosophies of Jon Bellion, Ben Harper
and Gary Jules, and former teachers, Thomas Hobbes and Joseph Butler are
evident through the artists' song lyrics. Human nature and the concept of
self-deception remains two of the prominent ideas that humans encounter.
The very nature of human can be interpreted through various minds, as
proven by Hobbes and Butler. Furthermore, the answer to the questions of
the universe remain a mystery to us all, even if the answers lie right in front
of us. Self-deception can be argued to be a trait of human nature, for we
often try to make ourselves feel one way by avoiding the obvious. The
philosophy of the universe remains unknown, and a topic to ponder, as
philosophers aim to solve the inexplicable with their interpretations. Perhaps
it is the need to gain knowledge or reach a higher level of understanding that
prompts us to conclude theories related to the universe. Nonetheless, we will
continue to translate our philosophical thoughts and opinions in different
forms, in the search for the truth.