Hobbes

Hobbes

Leviathan

Chapter 13-18

Chapter 13 Of the Natural Condition of Mankind, as concerning their Felicity, and Misery

Chapter 14-16

Chapter 14: Of the first and second Naturall Lawes, and of Contracts

Chapter 15: Of other Lawes of Nature

Chapter 16: Of Persons, Authors, and things Personated

Ð'* A law of nature is a general rule that is discovered through reason.

o Natural and inherently known by all because it can be deduced by innate mental faculties (reason, philosophy).

Ð'* Horrors of state of nature fear reigns supreme.

Ð'* Natural man must seek peace in order to preserve life.

Ð'* First Law of nature: "That every man, ought to endeavour Peace, as farre as he can hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps and advantages of Warre. The first branch of which Rule, containeth the first, and Fundamental Law of Nature; which is, to seek Peace, and follow it. The Second, the summe of the Right of Nature of Nature; which is, By all means we can, to defend our selves."

o Basically demands that we seek peace because to seek peace is to fulfill our natural right to defend ourselves

Ð'* Second Law of nature: "That a man be willing, when others are so too (as farre-forth, as for Peace, and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself."

o We must mutually divest ourselves of certain rights (such as the right to take another person's life) in order to escape the state of natural war.

o Mutual transferring of rights is called a contract

o Ex: I give up the right to kill you if you give up your right to kill me people will give up their rights when others are willing to do the same.

Ð'* Third Law of nature

o It is not enough simply to make contracts, but that we are required to keep the contracts we make.

o Foundation of the concept of "justice"

o Because of human desire for power, there is always incentive to break the contract

Ð'* First three laws have already provided a plan

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