Hobbes "Leviathan"

Perry: Hobbes “Leviathan”

Thesis: Hobbes, a British philosopher and political theorist, wrote “Leviathan” to break with medieval political theory. This book is a rational and secular political statement.

• Nature made men equal but there is a difference between men in their strength of the body, where the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination, or through help
• The mind is more equal than unequal
• From this equality of ability, equality of hope arises in attaining our Ends
• If any 2 men desire the same thing, they become enemies and endeavor to destroy, or subdue one another
• In nature of man, we find three principle causes of quarrel
• Competition
• Diffidence
• Glory
• Men invade for Gain, for Safety, for Reputation
• Violence is used to make themselves masters of others’ possession, to defend their possessions, and for trifles
• War arises – every man against every man
• Consequence of war – many enemies where men live without security
• There is no place for industry because of uncertainty; no culture of earth; no navigation; no use of commodities imported by sea; no building; no instruments of moving; no knowledge; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and there is always fear and danger of violent death
• The fear of death inclines men to peace and through industry a hope, upon which men may be drawn into agreement
• However, without a central power, every man has a right to everything and therefore, there can be no security to any man
• If there is no Power erected nor a great security, every man will rely on his own strength and art for protections against all other men
• Only way to erect and “Common Power” to defend from invasion of foreigners and injuries of one another
• “I authorize and give up my Right of Governing my self, to this Man, or to this Assembly of men, on this condition, that thou give up thy Right to him, and Authorize all his actions in like manner”
• Hobbes believes this statement should be how central power is erected
• A Commonwealth may then be able to be formed, united by this Authority
• Its essence should be like “One person, of whose Acts a great Multitude, by mutual Convenants one with another, have made themselves every one the Author , to the end he may use the strength and means of them all, as he shall think expedient, for their peace and Common Defense
• This authority is sovereign and is said to have sovereign powers while every other than him is his subjects
• Therefore, they are subjects to his Monarchy and can’t return to confusion of disunited Multitude
• If they depose him, they take from him that which is his own and so it is injustice
• There is no covenant with God, but by mediation of some body that represents God’s Person