LEVIATHAN

OverviewWhat is Social Contract Theory?Who was Thomas Hobbes?What was Hobbes’ view of man

and the state of nature?What is this thing Hobbes calls

Leviathan?

The Social ContractPolitical theory concerning

political authority and legitimacySpeaks of the basis for and

scope of political powerKey Elements: the state of

nature (and thereby, the nature of man)

Thomas HobbesBorn in 1588, Died in 1679Oxford-educated Englishman

and political philosopherOne of the first social contract

theoristsFamous work: Leviathan

The State of Nature“Homo lupus hominis”The state of nature is a state of

war: the war of every man against every man

Hence, life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”

Human NatureMan possesses natural desires

and aversionsMan lives to satisfy his desires,

which are insatiableIn particular, men desire powerDesire for power is the principal

cause of difference among men

The Laws of NatureMan is naturally averse to

destroying his lifeMan will be willing to lay down

his right to all things if others do the same

Men perform the covenants they make with their fellows

LeviathanEmbodiment of the greatest

political powerArises when:

Individuals voluntarily renounce their right to all things

Individuals bestow power upon an individual/group of individuals to exercise authority over them

Leviathan (cont’d)Leviathan (the commonwealth)

possesses sovereign authorityThe sovereign is the author of

all law and the basis of all justice

Subjects are bound to abide by the law absolutely

Leviathan (cont’d+)Subjects only possess liberty

under the lawThat subjects possess liberties

does not diminish sovereign power

Under the law, everything is legal unless otherwise proscribed

LessonsGovernments arise voluntarily

among men.They represent vicarious consent

from the people.Governments are necessary to

enforce order among men.Hence they must possess power

in order to keep such order.