Thomas Hobbes

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PRESENTS
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Thomas Hobbes

• 1588-1679

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Inspirations
Galileo Hobbs was entranced with Galileos
reverse vision of dynamics- the natural state of
objects is to be in motion rather than
rest Hobbes applied this theory to social
philosophy -of Body related the general laws
of motion -of Man show how humans can be
considered bodies in motion (motivated by
sensations, desires, appetites, etc.) -of
Citizen show how humans interacted with each
other in relation to the body public
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Leviathan (1651)

• Hobbs masterpiece
• man is not naturally good, but naturally a
  selfish hedonist
• To maintain a peaceful society, a Leviathan must
  be worked into the social contract.
• Leviathan is the State (an absolute monarch or a
  democratic parliament)
• The important point is that the State will be
  given a monopoly on violence and absolute
  authority.  In return, the State promises to
  exercise its absolute power to maintain a state
  of peace (by punishing deviants, etc.)
• power legitimates, power is justice. The State --
  whatever its form -- is always, by definition,
  right, as long as it is capable of maintaining
  civil peace. 

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Right of Nature vs. Law of Nature
Law of Nature requires us to do what we
believe we need to do in order to survive but
this just means that we will do what we believe
we need to do in order to survive. Right of
Nature allows us to do what we believe we
need to in order to survive but this just means
that there is no law forbidding us from doing
what we believe we need to do in order to
survive but this just means that it is not the
case that we will not do what we believe we need
to in order to survive.
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The State of Nature

• Self-preservation requires utilizing natural
  resources and - if necessary - using force to
  take them from others. Conflict was inevitable
  where resources were scarce or where arrogant
  people tried to dominate and exploit others.
  Since people are roughly equal in physical
  strength and intelligence, this struggle could
  never be resolved.

?STRUGGLE!?
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The Covenant

• Hobbes thought the way to escape this was for
  everyone - except the sovereign - to renounce
  their right and to promise to use their power in
  support of the sovereign's decisions. (That
  sovereign could be a single person or an
  assembly).
• Once everyone has agreed to accept and enforce
  the sovereign's decisions, it will be possible to
  impose peace and order.

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Quotes from the Leviathan

• During the time men live without a common power
  to keep them all in awe, they are in that
  conditions called war and such a war, as if of
  every man, against every man.
• To this war of every man against every man, this
  also in consequent that nothing can be unjust.
  The notions of right and wrong, justice and
  injustice have there no place. Where there is no
  common power, there is no law, where no law, no
  injustice. Force, and fraud, are in war the
  cardinal virtues.