Hobbes Leviathan Chapters Flashcards
What is the natural condition of humankind?
In the absence of a common power, people are in a state of war, where every man is enemy to every man.
What are the consequences of the natural condition of humankind?
- No industry, agriculture, navigation, or other societal developments.
- Continual fear and danger of violent death.
- Life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
What is the first and fundamental Law of Nature?
What is the second Law of Nature?
1) To seek peace and follow it.
2) That a man be willing, when others are so too, as far-forth as for peace and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself.
Hobbes says that people are naturally afraid of death and want power. How does this lead to problems?
When there’s no strong government to stop them, people driven by fear and the desire for power will try to dominate each other. This is what Hobbes means by the “state of nature,” which he describes as a “war of all against all.”
According to Hobbes and the lecture, what’s the biggest downside to living in a state of nature?
There can be no progress or civilization. People are too busy fighting for survival to build things, farm, create art, or advance science.
Why did Hobbes think it was important to describe this brutal state of nature?
He was writing during a time of great political unrest in England. He wanted to show that a strong, absolute ruler was needed to prevent society from collapsing into chaos.
What does Hobbes mean by the “Right of Nature?”
He’s talking about the idea that in a state of nature, people have the right to do whatever they think is necessary to protect themselves, even if it means harming others.
How does the “right of nature” differ from a “law of nature?
- The right of nature is about absolute freedom to do whatever it takes to survive.
- Laws of nature are rules discovered through reason that tell us how to act in ways that promote peace and self-preservation.
Why does Hobbes say that people create governments?
They realize that living in a state of nature is terrible! The misery of constant war makes them willing to give up some freedoms in exchange for the safety and security a government can provide.
How does Hobbes’s view of a ruler’s power differ from the traditional idea of the “divine right of kings?”
The divine right of kings suggests that God chooses who should rule. Hobbes doesn’t rely on religious ideas. He argues that a ruler’s power comes from the people, who agree to give up some of their freedom in exchange for protection.
According to Hobbes, why is a monarchy the best form of government?
He argues that a monarch can make decisions more quickly and efficiently than a group of rulers. He also thinks that a single ruler is less likely to be corrupted by special interests or by their own passions.
even in a strong government, some people might want to break the rules. Why does Hobbes think this happens?
Some people are just short-sighted. They focus on immediate gains, even if it means hurting themselves and others in the long run. It’s like a prisoner’s dilemma—they defect because they don’t trust others to cooperate.
Hobbes didn’t believe that people have a natural right to rebel against a ruler, even a bad one. Why not?
Hobbes thought that any rebellion would lead back to the state of nature. He believed it was better to live under a bad ruler than to risk the chaos and violence of having no ruler at all. He argued that a ruler’s power must be absolute to be effective.
