Conservative Thinkers: Human Nature

Question 1

Hobbes on the extent of human imperfection

Answer 1

Expresses an extremely cynical view of human nature which is needy and vulnerable, and therefore likely to commit destructive acts. Individuals in the Hobbesian ‘state of nature’ would be governed by ruthless self-interest, shaping our restless desire for acquisition, immovable distrust of others and a constant fear of violent death. In Hobbes’ in own words, life in this state would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.

Question 2

Burke on the extent of human imperfection

Answer 2

Expresses a sceptical view, though not the extent of Hobbes, which stresses mankind’s fallibility and tendency to fail more than succeed. Drawing upon the biblical principle of the original sin, Burke highlighted the chasm between our desire and our achievement’ and thus stressed custom, habit and experience as signposts for how we should behave.

Question 3

Oakeshott on the extent of human imperfection

Answer 3

Unlike Hobbes, Oakeshott believed that life without law would be “not so much nasty, brutish and short … as noisy, foolish and flawed”. Human nature is ‘fragile and fallible’, yet it is also ‘benign and benevolent’ when framed by routine, familiarity and religious principles; most people he argued are ‘fallible but not terrible’ and ‘imperfect but not immoral’.

Question 4

Hobbes on the type of state required to facilitate human nature

Answer 4

Humans are motivated to design political institutions that will allow them to exit the state of nature and create conditions for peace. Underpinning human nature was a cold rationality and ‘self-interest’; this would eventually lead hitherto warring individuals to forge a contract with an all-powerful sovereign who would provide the sort of order and security absent in the state of nature.

Question 5

Nozick on the type of state required to facilitate human nature

Answer 5

Humans are driven by a quest for ‘self-ownership’, allowing them to realise their full potential, therefore the state should instead be minimal. Hence, Nozick argues that its minarchist purpose should be merely to renew and reallocate contracts to private firms providing public services.

Question 6

Oakeshott on the type of state required to facilitate human nature

Answer 6

Humanity is at its best when free from grand designs and when focused on the routines of everyday life. The state exists to ‘prevent the bad rather than create the good’, restating that the best things in life normally emerge from routine and apolitical activity. Hence, the state should be guided by tradition and practical concerns (pragmatism, not dogmatism)

Question 7

Oakeshott on the type of economy required to facilitate human nature

Answer 7

Free markets are volatile and unpredictable, and my require pragmatic moderation by the state. This is possibly rooted in his view of human nature as being “noisy, foolish and flawed”, hence justifying his inclination for government intervention in the economy.

Question 8

Hobbes on the type of economy required to facilitate human nature

Answer 8

Argued that constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security. This is also rooted in his cynical view of human nature as being needy and vulnerable and so therefore likely to commit destructive acts. Therefore, the state is the necessary arbitrator.

Question 9

Rand on the type of economy required to facilitate human nature

Answer 9

Free-market capitalism is an expression of ‘objectivist’ individualism and should not be hindered by the state. This is because humans naturally seek autonomy and ‘space’ and are guided by rational self-interest, so therefore do not require government moderation.