THOMAS HOBBES - LEVIATHAN

Ani Chelidze, Tatia Benidze, Tamar Asambiani

THOMAS HOBBES BIBLIOGRAPHYThomas Hobbes

was an English philosopher, who has formed his basic ideas in his work “Leviathan”, published in 1651, discussing issues about human nature, ethics, political philosophy, and etc.

NATURAL CONDITIONNatural Condition is the situation when state does not yet exist, so there is no force which would subordinate all people, and all is entrusted to himself.

In such conditions, the basic characteristics of people are freedom and equality. The first means that a person can do anything that corresponds to his interests – this is his natural right. On the other hand, peoples mental and physical abilities are almost equal: no one is so powerful and clever than others that only because of that they could dominate over the rest, or have a reasonable claim for such domination.

NATURAL CONDITIONIn the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly – diffidence

(=fear); thirdly – glory (=honor).

The first makes men invade for gain; the second, for safety; and the third for reputation. The first use violence to make themselves masters of other men’s persons, wives, children and cattle; the second to defend them; the

third, for trifles (=slight or unimportant things), as a word, smile, a different opinion, and any

other sign of undervalue (=no respect).

NATURAL CONDITIONDuring the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe (=respect), they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war is of every man, against every (other) man.

For WAR, is not just a battle, or the act of fighting, but in a

tract of time (=period of time), wherein the will to

contend (=compete) by battle is sufficiently known. The nature of war consists not only in actual fighting, but the expressed readiness to fight during all the time when there is no assurance to the contrary (when we are not protected from fighting). All other time is PEACE.

NATURAL LAWS AND RIGHTSNatural Right is the liberty each man has, to use its power for the preservation of his nature (himself), that is to say, of his own life; And consequently, of doing anything, which in his own judgment and reason will be the best means to fulfill this goal. Liberty is understood as the absence of external impediments (=barriers), which impediments, may often take away part of a man's power to do what he would.

Natural Law is a precept, (=rule of thinking and behaving) or general rule found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do something, which is destructive of his life, or to take away the means of preserving his life; and to give up the means that as he thinks, are best for saving his life.

ABOUT PERSONS, AUTHORS, AND THINGS PERSONATED

A person, is he, whose words or actions are considered, either as his own (actor), or as representing the words or actions of another man (artificial), or of any other thing to whom they are attributed, whether truly or by fiction.

A multitude of men, are made one person, when they are by one man, or one person, represented... For it is the unity of the representer, that makes the person one. Every thing their representative says, or does in their name; every man owns all the actions the representer does.

And if the representative consist of many men, the voice of the greater number, must be considered as the voice of them all. For if the lesser number pronounce in the affirmative, and the greater in the negative, there will be negatives more than enough to destroy the affirmatives.

CREATION OF A STATEWhy man cannot have the common benefit?Men are continually in competition for honour and dignity, and consequently amongst men there arises on that ground, envy and hatred, and finally war. Man’s joy consists in comparing himself with other men, can relish (=enjoy) nothing but what is eminent (=famous).Amongst men, there are very many, that think themselves wiser, and abler to govern the public, better than the rest; and these strive to reform and innovate, one this way, another that way; and thereby bring it into distraction and civil war.Man is the most troublesome, when he is most at ease: for then it is that he loves to show his wisdom, and control the actions of them that govern the commonwealth.The agreement of men, is by covenant only, which is artificial: and therefore it is no wonder if there be somewhat else required (besides covenant) to make their agreement constant and lasting; which is a common power, to keep them in awe (=a feeling of great respect for someone), and to direct their actions to the common benefit.

ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF SOVEREIGNS BY INSTITUTION

The state is said to be instituted, when a multitude of men agree and covenant , everyone, with everyone, that whatever man or assembly of men which are given the right to represent the people, shall authorise all the actions and judgements, of that man or the assembly of men, as if they were his own – for the purpose of living peacefully among themselves and being protected against other man.

CONCLUSIONBefore the states were created, humans lived in a state of nature, which, Hobbes describes as the war of all against all.

However, men even in the state of nature is rational: he can make calculations regarding his interests. Therefore, people conclude that it is beneficial for them, to subject themselves to the supreme power, which will create and defend the order, based on the rule of law. For this, they have to reject their natural freedom to attack others - instead, they will secure themselves, their family and property. Transition from natural, to the «civil» or state condition occurs in the form of social contract: people agree to abide themselves by state government/power, as the alternative of it is war.

CONCLUSIONThe state (government), which, according Hobbes, is established with the social contract is absolute, meaning that people completely subordinate their wills to it.

In present understanding, Hobbes justifies and approves dictatorship. But at the same time, he is the predecessor of the modern liberalism, as he approves the state government not with the divine order, but according to the service, provided for the ordinary citizens – which is, ensuring their safety.

CONCLUSIONHobbes is one of the founders of the school of political Realism, which is one of the leading theories of international relations even today.

According this theory, relationships among states can be compared to Hobbes’ “state of nature”, where there is no central or supreme government. In this relationships, state behavior is completely governed by security interests (like in the case of Hobbes's individuals).

Thanks for attention!