HOBBES AND CONTRACT THEORY

Contract theory

The doctrine that individuals give up certain liberties and rights to the state, which then guarantees rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; foundational in American social philosophy.

Canada’s charter

Guarantees peace, order, and good government.

Hobbes (context)

Hobbes lived during England’s civil war and political turmoil between the crown and those who sought a puritanical religious rule.

Hobbes: point of departure

His political philosophy begins with self-interest.

Hobbes on life

Life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

Hobbes on liberal thought

Liberal political thought centers on individual rights, which for Hobbes meant a focus on the human pursuit of power.

Hobbes on human condition

Humans continually pursue power; all men give up some power to a sovereign to live at peace.

Hobbes on human nature

Humans are like beasts driven by selfish appetites; power is a commodity.

Hobbes on power

Those with more power gain more advantages from society and the market.

Hobbes on materialism

Everything is material; there is no soul; work produces what we desire.

Hobbes on fear

Fear of death unites people into a society where government can restrain passions and limit individual rights under a sovereign.

Hobbes on freedom

Individuals freely limit their own power to protect their power; sacrificing some freedom to safeguard overall freedom.

Hobbes on self-interest

Self-interest guides individuals to give up some freedoms in order to keep themselves safe.