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State of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
A hypothetical situation where no political authority or state exists@
Purpose of the state of nature thought experiment (Jonathan Wolff)
Used to explore why we need the state and what life would be like without it@
Rousseau's view (Jonathan Wolff)
Argued that it is implausible that modern civil society evolved naturally from a state of nature@
Hobbes' central claim (Jonathan Wolff)
Believed life without a strong state would be a state of war@
Hobbes' materialist view of human nature (Jonathan Wolff)
Describes humans as physical beings in constant motion, driven by desire@
Hobbes' definition of power (Jonathan Wolff)
Power is defined as the present means to obtain future apparent goods@
Equality in the state of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
People are equally capable of killing each other, which creates insecurity@
Three causes of conflict (Jonathan Wolff)
Humans attack each other for gain, safety, and reputation@
Definition of war (Jonathan Wolff)
Conflict happens not only through fighting but through the constant readiness to fight@
Justice in the state of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
There is no justice or injustice without a sovereign to enforce laws@
Right of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
The right to do whatever is necessary for self-preservation@
Law of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
A general rule discovered by reason that forbids self-destructive actions@
First law of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
Seek peace if others do too; otherwise use all means for self-defense@
Second law of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
Give up some rights if others do too; accept mutual liberty@
Third law of nature (Jonathan Wolff)
Covenants must be kept to create justice@
Individual vs collective rationality (Jonathan Wolff)
People act rationally as individuals but irrationally as a group@
Why laws of nature fail without a state (Jonathan Wolff)
Without enforcement, even rational people will act selfishly@
Limits of obeying natural laws (Jonathan Wolff)
Internal motivation is not enough; people only obey when others do too@
Passions that support peace (Jonathan Wolff)
Fear of death, desire for comfort, and hope for peace push people toward the state@
Creation of the commonwealth (Jonathan Wolff)
People mutually agree to give up their right to govern themselves to a sovereign@
Definition of the commonwealth (Jonathan Wolff)
One person or assembly is authorized to represent the will of all for peace and safety@
Sovereign's legitimacy (Jonathan Wolff)
The sovereign is created by agreement between the people, not a contract with the ruler@
Irrevocability of sovereignty (Jonathan Wolff)
Once created, the sovereign cannot be disobeyed without injustice@
Purpose of the state (Jonathan Wolff)
Only the sovereign can enforce covenants and ensure justice@
State of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
A condition where no common power exists to keep people in awe@
Equality of men (Thomas Hobbes)
All men are naturally equal in strength and intellect; even the weakest can kill the strongest@
Competition, distrust, glory (Thomas Hobbes)
Three main causes of conflict in the state of nature@
War (Thomas Hobbes)
Not just battle, but a known disposition to fight with no assurance of peace@
Consequences of war (Thomas Hobbes)
No agriculture, trade, knowledge, society; life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'@
Justice and injustice (Thomas Hobbes)
Do not exist in the state of nature, since there is no law or common authority@
Right of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
The liberty each man has to use his own power for self-preservation@
Law of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
A precept discovered by reason, forbidding self-destructive behavior@
First law of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
Seek peace and follow it, when possible@
Second law of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
Be willing to give up some liberty if others do too, for peace@
Third law of nature (Thomas Hobbes)
Covenants must be kept; the foundation of justice@
Covenant (Thomas Hobbes)
Mutual agreement between individuals, not with the sovereign@
Justice (Thomas Hobbes)
The keeping of valid covenants@
Injustice (Thomas Hobbes)
The breaking of covenants@
Why covenants fail in nature (Thomas Hobbes)
There is no enforcement or fear of punishment@
Need for a common power (Thomas Hobbes)
Only a sovereign can compel people to keep covenants@
Creation of the commonwealth (Thomas Hobbes)
Individuals give up rights to one man or assembly for peace and defense@
Definition of the commonwealth (Thomas Hobbes)
A single person represents the will of all; authorized by mutual covenant@
Sovereign by institution (Thomas Hobbes)
Created voluntarily by agreement among people@
Sovereign's rights (Thomas Hobbes)
Holds all power; cannot be lawfully overthrown@
Subjects' obligations (Thomas Hobbes)
Must submit their will and judgment to the sovereign@
Covenants with God (Thomas Hobbes)
Not valid unless mediated by the sovereign@
Liberty (Thomas Hobbes)
Absence of external obstacles; consistent with sovereign rule@
Fool's argument (Thomas Hobbes)
Claims injustice may still be rational if it benefits oneself@
Law and obligation (Thomas Hobbes)
Law commands or forbids; right allows choice@
Civil peace (Thomas Hobbes)
Secured only through fear of the sovereign's power@