Podcast Summary
Thinking about unconventional forms of government? Consider a monarchy and its leviathan ruler.: During societal upheaval, a strong, authoritative monarch leader, like a leviathan, can maintain order and protect citizens from external threats.
During times of societal upheaval, we may be forced to consider unconventional forms of government, such as a monarchy. When imagining the qualities we'd want in a monarch ruler, we might consider animals as metaphors. Thomas Hobbes, in the 1600s, chose the leviathan, a mythical, monstrous creature known for its immense power and terrifying presence. Despite its seemingly frightening characteristics, Hobbes believed that a strong, powerful ruler was necessary to maintain order and protect citizens from external threats. This thought experiment challenges our assumptions about government and leadership, encouraging us to consider alternative perspectives and the potential benefits of a strong, authoritative ruler.
Hobbes' Vision of a Strong Central Government Inspired by the Leviathan: English philosopher Hobbes believed humans needed a powerful sovereign and a well-defined social contract to prevent society from collapsing into chaos, as depicted in his work 'Leviathan'.
Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher born in 1588, drew inspiration from the Leviathan creature in mythology to describe his vision of a strong central government. Hobbes, an orphan who received education due to his wealthy uncle's support, was influenced by the English Civil War and believed humans needed a sovereign to prevent society from collapsing. The social contract, a concept where individuals agree to be governed in exchange for protection, was a significant idea in Hobbes' philosophy. He saw the need for a powerful government to maintain order and prevent the "state of nature," which was a chaotic and violent condition. Hobbes' work, "Leviathan," emphasized the importance of a strong sovereign and a well-defined social contract to maintain peace and order in society.
State of Nature: Solitary, Poor, Nasty, Brutish, and Short: According to Hobbes, the state of nature is a chaotic condition without laws or government, leading to constant warfare, lack of industry, and societal stagnation.
According to Thomas Hobbes, the state of nature is a ruthless and chaotic condition where there is no government or laws, leading to a perpetual state of warfare. In this state, there is no private property, and everything belongs to everyone, making it a constant battle for resources. The absence of laws and order results in a lack of industry, culture, and societal advancements. The movie "The Purge" provides a modern depiction of this concept, where all crime, including murder, is legal for a 12-hour period, resulting in widespread chaos and violence. Hobbes describes the state of nature as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
In the state of nature, humans are in a constant state of war and survival is the only goal: According to Hobbes, humans in the state of nature are selfish survival machines, living in constant fear, with no concept of morality or justice
According to Thomas Hobbes in his work "Leviathan," in the state of nature, humans are in a constant state of war with each other, and there is no concept of morality or justice. Self-preservation is the only goal in this state, making actions that promote survival justifiable. Hobbes viewed humans as selfish and survival-oriented machines. Without a common power or law, there is no injustice. In the state of nature, people live solitary, brutish lives, constantly paranoid of other humans, and the notions of right and wrong have no place. This perspective challenges our modern understanding of morality and justice, highlighting the importance of societal structures and laws in shaping human behavior.
Hobbes' Controversial View on Human Nature: Hobbes saw humans as fundamentally selfish, believing all actions, even altruistic ones, stem from a desire for personal gain, safety, or reputation.
Thomas Hobbes, a 17th century philosopher, held a controversial view on human nature. He believed that humans are fundamentally selfish, and this perspective led to disagreements with future philosophers. Hobbes argued that even altruistic actions, such as volunteering time or helping an old lady across the street, could be driven by a selfish desire to assert superiority. While this may seem counterintuitive, Hobbes saw the world as it is, not as an idealized utopia. He identified three main causes of war in the state of nature: competition for personal gain, safety, and reputation. These motivations are all rooted in personal interests, and Hobbes did not believe in inherent superiority among people. Despite the potential for disagreement or discomfort, Hobbes' perspective on human nature remains an influential and thought-provoking contribution to philosophical discourse.
Hobbes on Human Nature: Self-Preservation and the Desire for Peace: Hobbes believed that humans in a state of nature are in constant conflict due to self-preservation, but seeking peace through a social contract leads to greater self-preservation and a more stable society
Key takeaway from Thomas Hobbes' perspective on human nature is that self-preservation is the root cause of human conflict. Hobbes believed that in a state of nature, where there is no government or law, humans are in a constant state of war due to competition for resources, diffidence or suspicion, and glory or desire for recognition. However, he argued that humans could achieve a higher level of self-preservation by seeking peace. According to Hobbes, trying to overpower others and make them slaves is not a sustainable solution, as those enslaved would eventually rebel. Instead, he suggested that humans could sign a social contract with their neighbors to live peacefully and protect each other from external threats. This way, humans could live in a more secure and predictable environment, reducing the need for constant vigilance and the anxiety of being in a state of war. In essence, Hobbes believed that the desire for self-preservation drives humans to seek peace and form societies.
The need for formal contracts arises when trust is lacking: Hobbes argued that simple agreements may not ensure compliance, leading to the need for formal, enforceable contracts to build trust and stability in society
The idea of mutual self-preservation and cooperation between individuals can lead to mutually beneficial agreements, as illustrated in the story of the two neighbors sharing a fruit tree. However, as Thomas Hobbes pointed out in his work "Leviathan," simple agreements or handshakes may not be enough to ensure compliance and trust between parties. The need for a more formal and enforceable contract arises when there is a lack of trust or uncertainty in the other party's intentions. This is demonstrated in situations where both parties are reluctant to give their end of the bargain first, leading to a stalemate. In the absence of a legal system or government to enforce contracts, individuals may struggle to find a solution to this problem. Ultimately, the concept of a social contract, as proposed by Hobbes, provides a potential solution by offering a framework for individuals to relinquish some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and security, allowing for a more stable and less anxiety-filled society.
The Social Contract and Sovereign's Authority according to Hobbes: Hobbes believed individuals must surrender control to a sovereign to form a social contract, ensuring peace and order, even if laws seem burdensome.
According to Thomas Hobbes, the social contract and the sovereign's authority are necessary to protect individuals from the state of nature, which is a constant state of war. By signing the social contract, individuals surrender some of their control and freedom to the sovereign, who in turn establishes laws to maintain peace and order. Even if individuals don't agree with the laws or find them burdensome, they should still follow them because they contribute to the greater good of preventing a state of war. Hobbes viewed the sovereign and the government as a necessary evil to ensure human safety and the pursuit of a peaceful life.
Seeking peace for self-preservation according to Hobbes: Hobbes believed humans prioritize self-preservation, advocated for peace, and outlined natural laws to guide us towards it.
According to Thomas Hobbes, the primary goal of humans is self-preservation. To achieve this goal effectively, we must seek peace and follow it when possible. Hobbes argues that by using our reasoning abilities, we can determine that certain actions are beneficial or harmful to our self-preservation. These principles, known as natural law, provide a set of guidelines for living. The first and most fundamental law is to pursue peace and follow it when obtainable. Hobbes outlined 19 laws in total, which are important for understanding his perspective on human nature. By viewing humans as rational beings striving for self-preservation, Hobbes' natural law becomes a crucial framework for understanding our moral obligations and the role of the monarch in maintaining peace. In a football game analogy, the monarch is the quarterback, we as citizens are the players, and Hobbes' natural law is the playbook that keeps us working together towards the common goal of peace.
