Hobbes Laws of Nature Essay - 700 Words

Based upon the assigned segment of Thomas Hobbes’ The Leviathan, I find that it contrasts very strongly with my own perception of humanity and our motivations. I consider his conclusions to be both ignorant and uninformed (ironic, considering I’ve only ever read one segment of his works†¦) at least in regard to human nature. Hobbes takes the position that in a â€Å"state of nature† there are no laws and as such the concept of justice and injustice is null, because there is no law to violate or enforce. Which, in the most basic, factual and literary sense, is true. But in application, I don’t believe that the theory holds much merit. Hobbes’ basis for the state of nature is that in such a state, there is no authority, and without authority,†¦show more content†¦Ignoring the seemingly self-contradicting aspect of Hobbes’ theory, then by his own definition, if somebody where to invade for the sake of fighting, that would be unjust , as it would violate his natural laws. If not injustice, what would Hobbes claim a selfish and violent act such as rape or murder be? In our society, there exist plenty of people who do not recognize the right of government (theoretically placing them in a state of nature), but out of either principle or (a concept which I believe Hobbes neglects) sympathy, they do not rape or murder whomever they could gain something from. Without yet even considering the possibility of justice in the state of nature, Hobbes’ views already seem preposterous. With no applied government, if somebody were, hypothetically, to steal something from another person and an observer were to stop the thief and return the stolen item, then whether there are laws or not, that -- at least by my definition -- would be considered justice. Hobbes does however differentiate good and bad from just and unjust. Good being what men desire and bad being what men hate. These definitions being of childlike in their simplicity are in Hobbes’ eyes, applied on a person by person basis. Perhaps the question, in light of Hobbes’ views and the modern understanding of these words should then be rephrased: â€Å"Is there good or bad in a state of nature?† Which I think depends on the majorities feelings. Perhaps the definitions haveShow MoreRelatedLocke Vs. Hobbes : The Need For The Social Contract1238 Words   |  5 Pagesbeneficial to individuals in a group. The original social contract required that there was a strong leader who could protect all involved from harm, since the world was a dangerous and deadly place. This allowed the original social contract that Hobbe’s beliefs are based on, and at the time, it is possible that an autocratic society was necessary. We obviously did not have the capabili ty to govern ourselves yet. It wasn’t until around 3000 years ago that humanity got this chance, with the destructionRead MoreThomas Hobbes State of Nature in Leviathan Essay847 Words   |  4 Pagesdeemed paramount. Within the State of Nature that is, outside of civil society we have a right to all things ‘even to one another’s body’, and there would be no agreed authority to ensure the moral grounds of our decisions. Therefore since there are no restrictions and no shared authority; man is naturally un-guarded and prone to conflict and each individual is deemed a potential threat to our resources. 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Hobbes asserts that without a presiding government to legislate codes of conduct, no morality or justice can exist. â€Å"Where there is no common Power, there is no Law: where no Law, no Injustice if there be no Power erected, or not great enough for our security; every man will and may lawfully rely on his own strength andRead MoreThe Social Contract: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau1377 Words   |  6 Pagespunishment to the performance of their covenants and observation of those laws of nature...† (Levithian, Pt. 2 Ch. 17 s. 1) Locke, similarly feels that, he purpose of law is not to restrict the freedom of man but rather to preserve man and grant him liberty. â€Å"†¦ the end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom: for in all the states of created beings capable of laws, where there is no law, there is no freedom: for liberty is, to be free from restraint and violenceRead MoreThe Fault Of Our Sovereign1638 Words   |  7 PagesThe Fault in our Sovereign In Hobbe’s, â€Å"Leviathan,† he gives a detailed account of what he believes is the best way to live, a big part of this is establishing something along the lines of a government. Hobbes believes that every one is a psychological egoist and takes this into account when forming his ideal form of government. Hobbes believes that having a sovereign is the best route one can take to live as an egoist. I believe that it is ultimately not the best route for an egoist, first becauseRead MoreRussian Mafia1601 Words   |  7 Pagescommit a crime, in this case, this would apply to whether members of the Russian Mafia are egocentric and advancing their own personal gains and interests in practicing the activities they do. Rational theorists say that its in our human behavior and nature to self-advance our own interests and causes. According to the rational choice theory, we could make the argument that members of the Russian Mafia are people, who are freethinking, independent r ational decision-makers. If we trace back to the beginning