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AP POLS 2900 SU 2020

Naqibullah Sarwary

Topic:

Thomas Hobbes

Question:

Hobbes claims that human beings are by nature equal - natural rights are central to his political theory. Explain what a natural right is - what is the sense of equality and freedom it implies? How and why it leads to a state of war and to the social contract?

Human & Natural Equality

1

Human beings are all equal. No one is so much smarter than the other to survive in the state of nature – this all are equally vulnerable.

The only good is self-preservation and survival.

Everyone has the right to everything. You can get rid of people even if they do not threaten you, simply because they could. (Chp. 14).

The right of nature is that people have all rights to

do whatever necessary to protect themselves.

(Chp. 14)

2

Laws of Nature

Natural Law is law as seen as being independent of, and pre-existent to, the positive law of any given political order, society or nation-state.

Two laws of nature according to Hobbes

1. Humans seek peace because no one wins in war.

2. By all means defend yourself.

(Chp. 14)

How State of Nature leads to War?

Since all are equal, they have equal hope of getting what they want thus conflict is inevitable (not superman vs. man but just man vs. man).

Everyone will fight over glory and without some common power they will destroy each other.

  • 3 basic causes of conflict in the state of nature: Competition (fighting over resources)
  • Diffidence (fear that someone may be a threat)
  • Glory (attack for different opinion or other sign of undervalue regarding family, profession, etc).

“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.”

— Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Chp. 13

So What?

Social Contract!

As much as people like to go around and harm those they don’t like, they also understand it is not good. Thus, they agree to build a "social contract".

For our own survival we need to have covenants. There should be an authority to enforce all contracts: the Leviathan. We lay our rights to the Leviathan and the Leviathan will take care of our survival.

?

Questions?

Bibliography

APA. Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679. ( 1968). Leviathan. Baltimore :Penguin Books,

Thank you for your attention!

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