Essay Thomas Hobbes Leviathan - 1938 Words

Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Above anything else, Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan is a creation story and an investigation of human nature. The story begins in a time of chaos and death and through a journey of human development culminates in the establishment of a sustainable and rational society—the commonwealth—led by a sovereign. At a first casual glance, Hobbes’ reasoning of the transformation from the state of nature to the commonwealth is not airtight. A few possible objections can be quickly spotted: the contradictions of natural law with suicide and the civil law to honor even harmful covenants. Hobbes deals with some of these issues and seems to ignore others, but he does address in detail the most significant objection to his theory:†¦show more content†¦He progresses through reason and science, and then opens a discussion of man’s â€Å"passions.† These passions lead to, among other things, motion and â€Å"endeavour.† Hobbes reveals the fundamental forces that drive man, and in doing so, paints a picture of the state of nature. â€Å"This endeavour, when it is toward something which causes it, is called Appetite or Desire†¦And when the endeavour is fromward something, it is generally called Aversion.† (Leviathan, vi.2). This basic, binary code of conduct explains man’s lawless behavior in nature. Man desires—and therefore pursues—food, shelter, and pleasures of the senses, and man has an aversion to and avoids pain, cold, and danger. Hobbes refers to these desires and aversions in addition to many others as the â€Å"simple passions.† They dictate the chaos of everyday life in nature. They explain why men kill each other over food or shelter, and why men and women are attracted to each other. The concepts of desire and aversion and the simple passions, however, go well beyond explaining just everyday life. They are the main stepping-stones for Hobbes between his basic observations of man, and his definition of human nature and natural law. Hobbes makes the claim that among man’s desires is power. â€Å"I put for a general inclination ofShow MoreRelatedThe Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes1890 Words   |  8 PagesIn The Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes presents a highly cynical and thoroughly negative view of the natural condition of human beings. Hobbes understands humans as inherently suspicious and fearful of one another. 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He advises that people should look into themselves to see the nature of humanity. In his quote, â€Å" The passions that incline men to peace, are fear of death; desire of such things as are necessary toRead MoreThomas Hobbes Leviathan Argumentative Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesIn Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan, Hobbes argues that humans are inherently only self-interested and will do anything to benefit themselves (Hobbes, 6). Before they form society, humans live in the state of nature. This is a brutal place governed by no laws, contracts, or power to restrict human nature. People are free to kill each other without no repercussions, forcing everyone to constantly fend for themse lves and live in fear of being killed. He describes this as the worst way to live life, one thatRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes s Leviathan 2457 Words   |  10 Pages Laviathan, Thomas Hobbes most important work and one of the most substantial philosophical texts of the Seventeenth century, was written largely as a response to the political violence and turmoil of England’s civil wars. In Leviathan, Hobbes, using science and reason as a foundation, attempts to create a concrete and methodological solution for peace and political stability. In the context of a historically violent and fear stricken period in which Leviathan was written, it is logicalRead MoreAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes s Leviathan 1268 Words   |  6 Pagesinterests under a common power. In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury writes profoundly on the arrangement of legitimate government and the structure of society by calling to attention the constant vying for â€Å"power after power th at ceaseth only in death† (Hobbes, 56). Through his depiction of human interactions, Hobbes claims that there is a perpetual longing for ease and protection, knowledge, and fame (Hobbes, 56-57). When desires are conflicting, Hobbes claims that there is fierce competition