Lecture 8 Thomas Hobbes

Question 1

Who was Thomas Hobbes, and what influenced his philosophy?

Answer 1

Hobbes was an English philosopher (1588-1679) influenced by the English Civil War, Puritan Revolution, and thinkers like Descartes and Galileo. He aimed to develop political science grounded in human nature.

Question 2

What are the key works of Thomas Hobbes?

Answer 2

Key works include The Elements of Law, De Cive, Leviathan, and Behemoth.

Question 3

What is Hobbes’ concept of the state of nature?

Answer 3

The state of nature is a hypothetical scenario where humans live without government or laws, leading to chaos and conflict.

Question 4

What does Hobbes mean by ‘life in the state of nature’?

Answer 4

In the state of nature, life is ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short’ due to constant fear, lack of security, and absence of laws or morality.

Question 5

What is Hobbes’ view on human nature?

Answer 5

Hobbes believed humans are driven by desires and fears, strive for self-preservation, and are fundamentally equal in their capacity to harm each other.

Question 6

What does Hobbes mean by ‘equality of humans’?

Answer 6

Equality means all humans have similar physical and mental capabilities, making them equally able to pursue their goals or harm others.

Question 7

How does equality lead to conflict in Hobbes’ theory?

Answer 7

Equality fosters conflict because individuals compete for scarce resources, leading to mistrust and violence.

Question 8

What are the three causes of conflict in the state of nature?

Answer 8

The three causes of conflict are competition (for resources), diffidence (mistrust), and glory (pride/reputation).

Question 9

What does Hobbes mean by ‘war of all against all’?

Answer 9

It refers to a state of constant conflict where everyone is at war with everyone else, driven by self-preservation and lack of authority.

Question 10

Does Hobbes think humans are inherently bad?

Answer 10

No, Hobbes doesn’t think humans are inherently bad; rather, their behavior in the state of nature is rational for survival.

Question 11

What are the consequences of the state of nature according to Hobbes?

Answer 11

The state of nature lacks industry, arts, knowledge, and security, leading to fear and uncertainty.

Question 12

What is meant by ‘no right or wrong’ in the state of nature?

Answer 12

In the absence of a common power, there is no morality, justice, or law—’force and fraud’ dominate.

Question 13

What are the ‘laws of nature’ in Hobbes’ philosophy?

Answer 13

The laws of nature are rational principles guiding individuals to seek peace, form covenants, and maintain order.

Question 14

What is the first law of nature?

Answer 14

The first law of nature is to seek peace whenever possible but defend oneself if necessary.

Question 15

What is the second law of nature?

Answer 15

The second law of nature is to relinquish the right to everything for the sake of peace and mutual security.

Question 16

What is the third law of nature?

Answer 16

The third law of nature is to honor covenants, as they are the foundation of order and trust.

Question 17

How are the laws of nature collectively rational?

Answer 17

The laws of nature promote collective rationality, aligning individual survival with collective peace.

Question 18

What is the social contract in Hobbes’ theory?

Answer 18

The social contract is an agreement where individuals give up certain freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for security and order.

Question 19

Why is a sovereign necessary in Hobbes’ theory?

Answer 19

A sovereign is necessary to enforce covenants and prevent a return to the state of nature.

Question 20

What does Hobbes mean by the Leviathan?

Answer 20

The Leviathan is a metaphor for the sovereign, representing collective authority and ensuring peace and security.

Question 21

What are the formal characteristics of the sovereign in Hobbes’ view?

Answer 21

The sovereign is undivided, absolute, and represents the collective will. It ensures safety, order, and the only legal authority.

Question 22

What is the role of censorship in Hobbes’ political theory?

Answer 22

Censorship ensures peace by controlling opinions and doctrines that could disrupt societal order.

Question 23

How does Hobbes reconcile fear and freedom?

Answer 23

Fear does not negate freedom; actions taken under fear, like obeying laws, are still voluntary according to Hobbes.

Question 24

How does Hobbes compare individual and collective rationality?

Answer 24

Individual rationality drives conflict in the state of nature, but collective rationality promotes peace and security through covenants.

Question 25

How does Hobbes view international relations?

Answer 25

States exist in a condition similar to the state of nature, with constant distrust and competition, but they avoid misery through stability and productivity.

Question 26

How can Hobbes’ theory be applied to contemporary issues like climate change?

Answer 26

Hobbes’ theory highlights the need for strong governance to tackle collective problems like climate change, emphasizing the role of enforcement in global agreements.

Question 27

What is an example of a specific passage from Leviathan illustrating the state of nature?

Answer 27

‘In the state of nature, the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short’ (Leviathan, p. 62). This illustrates the lack of security, morality, and industry in a state of nature.

Question 28

What are some insights from Hobbes’ other works (De Cive or Behemoth)?

Answer 28

In De Cive, Hobbes explores civil obligations and the relationship between religion and governance, while Behemoth provides a historical account of the English Civil War to contextualize his political theories.

Question 29

What are some criticisms of Hobbes’ views on the state of nature?

Answer 29

Critics argue that Hobbes’ depiction of the state of nature is overly pessimistic and dismisses the possibility of cooperation without authority.

Question 30

What alternative interpretations of Hobbes’ ideas were discussed in the lecture?

Answer 30

Some interpretations suggest Hobbes’ views on human equality and rationality reflect Enlightenment optimism about human potential, despite his focus on conflict.