Broadly speaking, Thomas Hobbes’ image of man was genuinely pessimistic. The proof for this claim may be found in the first book of Leviathan, in which Hobbes explains his view of the human nature, its soul and its mechanisms. Leviathan was not Hobbes’ first attempt to give such a general overview, and when he claimed that “Homo homini lupus” (Man is a wolf to man), it was firstly not him who coined the phrase (it first appeared around 1500), and secondly not in Leviathan but nine years earlier in De Cive. The idea that “Man is a wolf to man” sums up many of Hobbes’ theories in a single phrase. However, it should be noted that the sentence so often quoted as summarising Hobbes’ theories continues, “Man is an arrant wolf to man, and man to man is a God.” The second half is often forgotten but it is vitally important to remember it in order to fully understand what might be seen as the first coherent and scientific political theory. How can man to man be a wolf and a God simultaneously? Hobbes’ image of man was not only pessimistic but ambiguous too.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction: Hobbes' image of man and the natural condition of man.
- The Natural Condition of Man
- The Social Contract and the Sovereign.
- The Natural Law and Hobbes' method.........
- Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury: the case for despotism?
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to outline the political theory of Thomas Hobbes by analyzing his fundamental assumptions, exploring the concept of the social contract, and examining the mechanisms for maintaining peace. Additionally, it delves into Hobbes' method and explores how his ideas were received by his contemporaries and subsequent generations.
- Hobbes' pessimistic image of human nature
- The natural condition of man as a state of war
- The social contract as a means to overcome the natural condition
- The role of the sovereign in maintaining peace and order
- Hobbes' method and its influence on political thought
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: Hobbes' image of man and the natural condition of man. This chapter introduces Hobbes' pessimistic view of human nature, highlighting his famous statement "Man is a wolf to man." It explores how Hobbes' experiences with the English Civil War shaped his perspective on human behavior.
- The Natural Condition of Man This chapter elaborates on Hobbes' concept of the natural condition, which he describes as a state of war where individuals are driven by self-preservation and a constant desire for power. It emphasizes the dangers of anarchy and the need for a strong authority to prevent chaos.
- The Social Contract and the Sovereign This chapter discusses Hobbes' theory of the social contract, where individuals voluntarily surrender their rights to a sovereign in exchange for security and peace. It highlights the necessity of a powerful authority to enforce the contract and prevent its breakdown.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores key concepts in Hobbes' political philosophy, including the natural condition, the social contract, the sovereign, the natural law, and the role of power in human society. It examines how Hobbes' ideas influenced political thought and shaped discussions on governance and social order.
- Quote paper
- Nicholas Williams (Author), 2005, Thomas Hobbes: philosophy's bad boy reassessed, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/127218
