Hobbes Concept of the State of Nature Analysis

Hobbes Concept of the State of reputation AnalysisExplain and assess Hobbes claim that the rural ara of temperament would be a war in which every man is enemy to every man.Hobbes concept of the province of genius that he proposed in the Leviathan was delineate merely as a condition of war, without the creation of a civil society he suggested that in that location would be a war where every man is enemy to every man. Hobbes assumption of adult male nature is based around the absence of a political society such as presidential term where no laws or rules be present. This condition becomes a society filled with souls living in everlasting fear and leads to perpetual war. In the first section of this essay I will explain the foundations that characterized Hobbes head of the state of nature around and whether there is every escape from it. I will then go onto to evaluate whether this state of nature is only defined by savage behavior and war and how new(prenominal) philos ophers such as Locke and Rousseau researched the state of nature to come up with conclusions that contradict Hobbes original theory.Hobbes verbalise that an individuals natural condition is seen ultimately as egoist, with no concerns of morality each are operate by a powerful desire to amass great power. This instinctual drive push aside non be restrained imputable to the lack of an overarching authority in society. Thus each human is continuously seeking to stamp out the different in pursuit of reputation and self-preservation. This ultimately leads to sustenance being nasty, brutish and short (Hobbes, 1982). Hobbes believed that morality could non exist in such a state and that judg manpowerts centred around good and evil can non exist until they are dictated by a higher authority present in society. Individuals course attempt to increase their power sources as a means of future valueion, this combined with their need to earn what they like leads to this continual content ion among each other. til now we need to question whether this competition in the state of nature would eventu ally lead to war?Another assumption Hobbes puts forward is that all men are advert by nature, meaning that each of them possess equal abilities to accumulate powers and to gain what their appetites desire. However he recognises that there are doed resources available which encourages competition leading to each becoming enemies and supporting(a) his quote of every man is enemy to every man. You would think that by regarding equality Hobbes would aim that we should regard each other and act with compassion exactly Hobbes definition of equality relates to the idea that we all defy the same level of s cut down and strength therefore we all hold the same capacity to kill one and other. It is a condition in which every man has right to everything even to anothers body (Hobbes, 1982) This concept was supported by Doyle who identified that men were equal as they had simi lar passions and potentialities, they were for the most part dominated by lusts and inner passions which were out of their control (Doyle 1927, pg. 353) He went further to state that the condition of life was one of never ending war as justice and injustice have no come out of the closet.Hobbes important idea of self-preservation in the state of nature can be exemplified by Platos business relationship of the Ring of Gyges. Those in possession of this ring acquire the power of invisibility. With this ring, the individual either decides to act virtuously or immorally (Plato, 2007) Individuals in the state of nature would use this ring to satisfy their own own(prenominal) desire. Whilst in possession of this ring they would be able to obtain everything they want, it would be very beneficial in terms of survival. Hobbes suggestion is that if individuals were presented with the ring they would not hesitate using it as it would provide protection and self-preservation which is their main focus due their egoistic makeup, this supports his idea of the condition of mankind.There are therefore 3 lynchpin main elements which characterise the state of nature glory competition, and diffidence. These are known as the causes of quarrel. We are chiefly concerned with our own safety and Hill (2006 pg. 134) reinforced Hobbes idea that uncertainty about the character and conduct of others in society leads to mistrust due to the lack of confidence in the motive of others which turns them against each other. This thence leads to the establishment of a sovereign to enforce authority over society. Hobbes definition of the state of war is not characterized by violence but as an individuals constant readiness to fight. This state becomes too harsh that human beings naturally seek peace due to reason, and the best way to this goal is to create the Leviathan through what is called the complaisant contract which is entails having an ultimate sovereign as a legitimate source of power. The state will function due an element of fear being present which will ultimately protect and ensure that the contract is followed, people would have given up their rights and overall power to the government. As Alexandra (2001) stated that to escape from a state of nature it is necessary that the fundamental laws of nature are accepted as public standards of behaviour (pg.3), and according to Hobbes this can only be achieved if all people agree to limit their rights and to act to in accordance.Even though Hobbes sketched this nature as a battle and struggle between men for the ultimate goal of survival, there are arguments against this idea that the state of nature is characterized by a chaotic world of continual fear between individuals. Locke interpretation of the state of nature was one of hone freedom were men inherently have a sense of morality which discourages them from engaging in acts of evil. We can thereofly resolve any conflicts. He depicted the idea of me n not having any incentives to destroy himself, or any creature in his possession. It is reason that leads the way in preserving a quiet life, and teaches us that harming one another is not a moral action (Locke, 2005) From Lockes analysis on the state, we can see that it contradicts Hobbes views on human nature. One on hand the individual is represented as good with an innate moral instinct while the other is a self-driven creature, we need to regard whether it is come-at-able to live an acceptable life in the absence of government or sovereign rule?Thomas.J (2009) researched to answer that men have always been under the influence of some degree of authority, and even when there has been no control exercised by the state it has been god that has inspired them to act in a kindly carriage with generosity. Men have the natural habitual ability of living with other members of their society without becoming a social animal. He developed his ideas further and stated that even before the state emerged, fathers were seen as the dominant figure in households and ruled over their wife and children families were seen as a unit of social organisation.Doyle backed up the idea presented by Thomas by stating that human beings were predestined to perpetrate acts of evil through god, so we needed to question whether they could really be held responsible for their actions.(1927, Pg. 340). He but went onto support Hobbes claim that men were dominated by their natural instinct and were free to act as they wished, which meant they only had the power to evil. Nevertheless we also needed to consider that the action of good deeds by man is seen as automatic (1927 pg. 342)The main concept Hobbes failed to examine and take into consideration when coming up with his theory of the state of nature is that humans have a social inclinations which include affection, building relationships and friendship which leads us to being rational human beings. This social nature embed into hum ans is one that drives them to work. Merriam (1906) examined Hobbes books and notice how he failed to recognize the existence of social qualities in human nature. The fundamental laws of nature commands all men to be peaceable but to also be compliant with each other, even if they entered a state of war nature would command them to be socially minded and love one another which would minimalize any effects of war between man. This statement was contradicted by Haji (1991) who argued that individuals fail to realise the benefits that cooperation with others would recreate in the long term and would rather just opt for the short term benefits of them choosing to not cooperate and act solely, this leads to a course of action where everyone in society decides to not cooperate than achieve any effects through cooperation which ultimately leads to a continual fight for self-preservation.It is clear that both researchers have examined the model that cooperation is an important aspect of human beings day to day life, however there will always be different circumstances where individuals choose whether to cooperate or not. We can focus on the prisoners dilemma to look into this further, the prisoners dilemma is a game theory which gives the individual an overall outcome and a path of choice, and we can relate this to everyday life where certain choices give us greater benefits. We may desire to choose one that gives us greatest satisfaction or an equal option which benefits both parties. There are different people in society, some are more aggressive and self-motivated while others are inclined towards social relations.Nevertheless it is important to realise that social behaviour that involves cooperation can be adopted and learned in such a way that restrictions enforced by society are not necessary to control the behaviour of certain individuals. Human behaviour thus can be controlled by education (Kavka,1983). Kavka also goes onto say that Hobbes theory on the s tate of nature is narrow minded due to his interpretation of what establishes a civil society and of what constitutes the state of nature. Hobbes predominant view is that only an absolute sovereign can be an authoritative common power. Otherwise, he stated that in the absence of a common power, people are in a state of war which is not necessarily true.We can therefore conclude that Hobbes claim that the state of nature is one of war is not entirely true, and at no time has this state of nature existed, it was a hypothetical scenario formed by Hobbes based around the presumption of a state in lawlessness. The state of nature was represented as a state of war upon the assumption that society is suffering due to a shortage of resources and competition over food supplies, however this is not the case in real life and there is mode for all man. Thomas (2009) states that a state of war will only arise when individuals are severely hindered in preserving their lives.If we look at current political situation however there is anarchy present among the states. There is no overall world government which regulates power over all states. If we consider states separately we can justify what Hobbes stated about the state of nature. It is evident that there is current inter-state and intra state war still present today, and certain crimes which are committed which go unpunished. The fear of war is always existent and states go to extreme lengths to dominate others, as well as this there is still a certain degree of mistrust between people even when there is a common power, thus Hobbes idea of a state of nature being one of war is supported to some result as there will always be some form of competition amongst people but it does not necessarily have to be as brutish and vulgar as Hobbes described.BibliographyAlexandra, A.(1992). Should Hobbes state of nature be represented as a prisoners dilemma? .The Southern Journal of Philosophy. Vol 2. Melbourne The University of Melbo urne.Alexander, J. (2001). collection Dynamics in the State of Nature Erkenntnis. 55(2) pp.169-182Doyle, P. (1927). 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