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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Hobbes’ image of man and the natural condition of man.
2. The Natural Condition of Man
3. The Social Contract and the Sovereign
4. The Natural Law and Hobbes’ method
5. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury: the case for despotism?
Objectives and Themes
This work examines the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, specifically focusing on his foundational assumptions regarding human nature, the necessity of the social contract, and the role of the sovereign in establishing a peaceful Commonwealth. It explores how Hobbes departed from medieval models to create a secular, scientifically-grounded theory of the state.
- The pessimistic view of human nature and the "natural condition."
- The theoretical transition from anarchy to a structured social contract.
- The function and justification of the Leviathan as an absolute sovereign.
- The integration of natural science methodologies into political philosophy.
- Historical misconceptions and the diverse interpretations of Hobbes' political legacy.
Excerpt from the book
The Natural Condition of Man
The Leviathan starts by describing what Hobbes calls “the Natural Condition of Man”, and although he does not mention the Civil War as this natural condition, Hobbes makes numerous references to it. It is important to note that the natural condition is not a historical fact but a hypothetical assumption, as a condition that follows naturally to the fact that “man is a wolf to man” if there is no regulative state. According to Hobbes, the foremost goal of any creature is survival; a point in which humans do no different from any other lifeform. As long as there is no state or ruler to prevent people from doing what they like, all means to ensure survival are perfectly legitimate. Every human beings have the right to do whatever they think is necessary to stay alive, and that may well involve the killing of other human beings. As this is so, it follows that survival means protection against attacks, and such protection in turn is another word for power. So far, Hobbes has proven that all human beings desire power, and if for nothing else, then simply in order to protect themselves.
Up to this point, anarchy would be the most just system imaginable. However, Hobbes makes the observation that the only way to maintain the power and the means for survival is to expand and enhance them. One person is bound to start off this process of expanding his own power and thus pose a threat to everyone else, so that the rest are bound to follow the same principle and try to expand their power too. At this point, and given that men’s passions are strong enough to make them kill one another for whatever idea they believe is true, e.g. religion, the natural condition could be seen as a synonym for war.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Hobbes’ image of man and the natural condition of man.: This chapter introduces Hobbes’ pessimistic view of human nature and his motivation to prevent civil unrest through political theory.
2. The Natural Condition of Man: This section explains the hypothetical state of anarchy where survival is the primary driver and perpetual conflict is inevitable.
3. The Social Contract and the Sovereign: This chapter details the establishment of a vertical social contract and the creation of the Leviathan to enforce peace.
4. The Natural Law and Hobbes’ method: This section discusses Hobbes' scientific approach to philosophy and his rejection of religious or traditional authority in favor of logical definitions.
5. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury: the case for despotism?: This chapter analyzes the historical reception of Hobbes’ work and addresses the conflicting political interpretations of his theories.
Keywords
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Social Contract, Natural Condition, Sovereignty, Political Philosophy, Civil War, Human Nature, Natural Law, Despotism, Commonwealth, Secular State, Scientific Method, Power, Anarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work provides a reassessment of Thomas Hobbes’ political philosophy, examining how he conceptualized human nature and the necessity of state authority to maintain peace.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the transition from a state of nature to a structured society, the role of the sovereign (Leviathan), and the influence of scientific methodologies on Hobbes' political reasoning.
What is the central research question?
The essay aims to outline Hobbes' political theory by describing his basic assumptions, the nature of his social contract, and the rationale behind his preference for an absolute sovereign.
Which scientific methods does the author attribute to Hobbes?
Hobbes is noted for transferring the methodology of geometry and natural sciences to philosophy, prioritizing precise definitions and logical conclusions over traditional Aristotelian models.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body covers the natural condition of man, the mechanics of the social contract, the justification for the sovereign, and an analysis of how Hobbes' own methodology shaped his theories.
Which keywords best describe this research?
The work is characterized by terms such as Leviathan, social contract, natural condition, sovereignty, political philosophy, and the secular state.
How does Hobbes define the 'natural condition of man'?
Hobbes defines it as a hypothetical state of anarchy where individuals pursue power for survival, leading to a state of war where everyone is a threat to everyone else.
Why does the author consider Hobbes' theory to be 'modern'?
It is considered modern because it roots political authority in the society itself rather than in divine right, effectively laying the groundwork for secular, liberal political thought.
What role does the 'Leviathan' play in Hobbes' model?
The Leviathan acts as an omnipotent, supreme entity representing the collective power of society, established to prevent the breakdown of order and return to the state of war.
How does the author interpret the conflicting claims about Hobbes' political ideology?
The author suggests that many contemporary and later critics failed to fully understand Hobbes' theories, leading them to misappropriate or mischaracterize his work to suit their own political agendas.
- Citation du texte
- Nicholas Williams (Auteur), 2005, Thomas Hobbes: philosophy's bad boy reassessed, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/127218
