Analysis

Document Text: [|Leviathan Chapters 13-14]

Thomas Hobbes argues in Chapter 13 of Leviathan that because all men are basically equal beings, they are constantly at war with each other. The three sources of this war are competition, diffidence, and glory. Because of this war, men are in misery and have trouble in "keeping company where there is no power able to overawe them all" (Hobbes XIII). Men are in need of government to keep themselves in check and provide for the common security of each individual.

Hobbes' purpose in this chapter is to comment on the nature of man. He is generally pessimistic because he believes that if not kept in check by a higher authority, they will arouse conflict between each other. They cannot coexist together because "if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies" (Hobbes XIII). In addition, as long as men are in conflict with each other, there is no set notion of right and wrong; anything goes. Hobbes states plainly that "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice" (Hobbes XIII). Again, with no higher power to keep man accountable, anything is morally acceptable.


 * Do you think man has a natural tendency to go to war with each other? In other words, do you think the Lord of the Flies model of society is accurate?

In Chapter 14, Hobbes discusses two natural laws, the first being that man must do what he can to preserve his own life; he "is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life" (Hobbes XIV). However, this first law has some implications. Does this mean man is allowed to do //anything// as long as it is for his own personal gain or preservation of life? If a man is hungry, is he allowed to burn and pillage his neighbor's house to find food? Hobbes explains that if indeed every man is entitled to that which preserves his life, then "every man has a right to every thing, even to one another's body" (Hobbes XIV). Of course this presents problems; namely, it causes that condition called "war" that is brought up in the previous chapter. Therefore, another natural law is called for. This second natural law, as described by Hobbes says that men must have the desire, as much as is necessary, to "lay down this right to all things" to bring about a condition of peace (Hobbes XIV).

Hobbes' theory of a stable government correlates to the model of republicanism adopted by America in the 18th century. The system of republicanism calls on citizens to willingly subordinate their own selfish interests for the benefit of the nation. All citizens must be at least somewhat focused on what is best for others to bring about order and stability.


 * Do you agree with this model of government? Should we rely on the virtue of the citizenry, or would a powerful despot be more effective? Can we trust others to lay down their rights for us?