Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Essay - 1029 Words

A state of nature is a hypothetical state of being within a society that defines such a way that particular community behaves within itself. English philosopher Thomas Hobbes proclaimed that, â€Å"A state of nature is a state of war.† By this, Hobbes means that every human being, given the absence of government or a contract between other members of a society, would act in a war-like state in which each man would be motivated by desires derived solely with the intention of maximizing his own utility. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;He claims that acts of kindness, charity and benevolence are always actions that the performer believes will result in a beneficial consequence for himself. Hobbes’ basis for this argument lies in the concept of†¦show more content†¦The most highly organized social network is called a commonwealth, a web of contracts between members of a community, which according to Hobbes is synonymous to the formation of an entirely new person of which each individual is but a working part (Leviathan 2, 17). Hence the title of Hobbes’ most famous work, Leviathan, which is a sea monster that lives off of the â€Å"sea of individuals.† And who is to rule this commonwealth? Hobbes answers that there needs to be a sovereign, to judge and enforce the laws of the contracts (Leviathan 2, 18). This sovereign, who is either chosen by the creators of the covenant (institution) or who forces people under his rule (acquisition) has the final rule in enforcing the laws. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Essentially what Hobbes is saying by all of this is that human beings are not fit to govern themselves. The notion of the social contract serves the purpose of saving us from ourselves because, according to Hobbes, humans are not able to do that on their own. The idea of acting on behalf of the common good is, while comprehensible in theory, impossible for humans to execute. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In criticizing Hobbes argument, it is extremely important to understand that the very theory of the state of nature is purely arbitrary. Such a state has never existed. While Hobbes states that the idea of a state of nature is hypothetical, a certain validity must be denied in the absence of evidence.Show MoreRelatedThe Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes1890 Words   |  8 PagesIn The Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes presents a highly cynical and thoroughly negative view of the natural condition of human beings. Hobbes understands humans as inherently suspicious and fearful of one another. Left to our natural state, people prove incapable of harmonious coexistence and instead aggressively pursue their own security. To achieve this end, men will belligerently defend what they view as theirs and endeavor to dominate as many others as possible. This understanding of security, howeverRead MoreLeviathan, By Thomas Hobbes838 Words   |  4 PagesIn Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, he talks about nature, man, liberty, and other topics. Mr. Hobbes says that â€Å"nature hath made men so equal,† but how can we determine how they are equal? We can say everyone is equal before they come into the world, except when they are actually in the world, no one is the same. Everyone is different in some way, whether it be with respect, money, or just social gains. 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He describes this as the worst way to live life, one thatRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes s Leviathan 2457 Words   |  10 Pages Laviathan, Thomas Hobbes most important work and one of the most substantial philosophical texts of the Seventeenth century, was written largely as a response to the political violence and turmoil of England’s civil wars. In Leviathan, Hobbes, using science and reason as a foundation, attempts to create a concrete and methodological solution for peace and political stability. In the context of a historically violent and fear stricken period in which Leviathan was written, it is logicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes s Leviathan 1268 Words   |  6 Pagesinterests under a common power. In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury writes profoundly on the arrangement of legitimate government and the structure of society by calling to attention the constant vying for â€Å"power after power th at ceaseth only in death† (Hobbes, 56). Through his depiction of human interactions, Hobbes claims that there is a perpetual longing for ease and protection, knowledge, and fame (Hobbes, 56-57). When desires are conflicting, Hobbes claims that there is fierce competition