Thomas Hobbes

Question 1

Hobbes’ key works

Answer 1

Leviathan - 1651

Question 2

View on human nature

Answer 2

Sceptical view of human nature

Argued it was egotistical, and was likely to commit cruel + destructive acts

Prior to state, there was no voluntary cooperation between individuals and therefore no such thing as natural rights

Hobbes state of nature was a place where individuals are driven by self-interest. Individuals desired the gain of goods, distrusted others and had a fear of a violent death.

Life in this state of nature would be ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’

Question 3

Hobbes thought on absence of authority

Answer 3

‘Natural chaos’ stemmed from the absence of formal authority

Creates a code of unquestioned right and wrong

Simply, in natural form, humans create their own version of acceptable conduct

However, each persons version of this is different causing uncertainty and war

Question 4

How would a sovereign state emerge from Hobbes’ state of nature

Answer 4

Hobbes believed humans as rational, therefore humans would see the state of nature to be contrary to self-interest

Therefore, individuals would voluntarily enter a contract for a state

In this state, individuals would give the state the power to make laws, and allow order + security that were once absent

Would lead to a society where individuals enjoy progress and security

Question 5

Where did Hobbes designate power

Answer 5

Hobbes wanted concentrated power

If power is dispersed, conflict would arise

Conflict leads to replication of original state of nature

Question 6

Summary of Hobbes’ argument

Answer 6

Principal reason for the state was the creation of order + security

Without such a state, there will be no civil society

For the state to be effective, it has to be impressive and forbidding