Thomas Hobbes

Power

The ability to achieve some desired future outcome, which can be classified into two forms: original power, which is inherent and linked to one's natural abilities, and instrumental power, which refers to the capability to utilize resources or influence to attain objectives.

Natural Equality

Hobbes asserts that all individuals possess equal faculties, which inevitably leads to competition for resources, as one person’s gain often comes at the expense of another's.

Felicity

A state of continual contentment or joy that arises from the successful fulfillment of one's desires. For Hobbes, happiness is a dynamic condition that depends on ongoing success in satisfying personal ambitions.

Good and Evil (in the State of Nature)

These concepts are entirely subjective; actions are deemed good when they align with an individual's desires and perceived beneficial outcomes, while actions are considered evil if they are contrary to one’s preferences.

State of Nature

A theoretical condition wherein no political authority exists, leading to a scenario where every individual enjoys a right to everything, resulting in inherent conflict over resources.

Right of Nature

This refers to the fundamental freedom each individual possesses to utilize their power as they see fit to preserve their own life and well-being.

Laws of Nature

Principles that are discoverable through reason; these laws dictate that individuals should avoid actions that are destructive and instead promote behaviors that lead to preservation and peaceful coexistence.

The Fool

A term used to describe a person who lacks a belief in justice and, as a result, overestimates their own capabilities, putting themselves at risk of significant moral and practical misjudgments.

Civil Laws

Commands established by the sovereign authority that delineate what is considered right and wrong within a society, effectively regulating behavior to maintain social order.

Justice

The concept of justice is fundamentally tied to the fulfillment of agreements and covenants made between individuals. Hobbes posits that without such agreements, the concept of justice lacks substantive meaning.

Liberty

Defined as the absence of external constraints on actions; Hobbes emphasizes that true liberty is linked to the capacity to act according to one's own will, free from interference.

Good Laws

These are laws deemed necessary for the well-being and safety of the subjects which align with the principles of self-preservation; they support ethical conduct within society.

State of Nature

A precarious and chaotic situation defined by the absence of structure and rules, leading to conflicts where individuals act on impulse rather than reason.

Sovereign Authority

The ultimate power that resides in a ruler or governing body, which is necessary to maintain social order and enforce laws to prevent conflict among individuals.

Individual Rights

Entitlements that are practically non-existent in the state of nature due to prevalent conflicts over claims, making individual assertions vulnerable to dispute.

Social Contract

A foundational agreement among individuals to surrender certain freedoms in exchange for the benefits of collective peace and security, thus forming a basis for societal governance.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process whereby a specific conclusion is derived from general premises, ensuring that if the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily follow.

Inductive Reasoning

A method of reasoning where general conclusions are drawn based on specific observations, allowing for broader statements about reality based on limited data.

Injustice

Characterized as the failure to fulfill a covenant, leading to a breach of trust and social order, reflecting a significant moral failing.

Commonwealth

An artificial entity created when individuals collectively agree to subject themselves to a sovereign authority for the sake of achieving peace and order, transcending the chaos of the state of nature.

Summum Malum

This term translates to the 'greatest evil', which Hobbes identifies explicitly as death, representing the ultimate fear driving human behavior.

Coercive Power

The capacity of the sovereign to enforce laws and commands through the threat of punishment, ensuring that subjects adhere to the established laws.

Natural Laws

Universal principles discerned through rational thought that advocate for self-preservation and guide human behavior towards mutual benefit.

Justice and Sovereignty

The interrelation between justice and sovereignty is critical; justice necessitates enforcement mechanisms, and it is the sovereign that ensures covenants are upheld and justice is served.

Organic Machines

Hobbes employs this metaphor to describe humans as entities driven predominantly by desires and aversions, akin to complex machines rather than abstract thinkers.

Competition for Resources

This refers to one of the primary sources of conflict in the state of nature, where individuals vie against one another for scarce resources.

Fear in Hobbes’ Philosophy

Fear is a central motivator in human behavior and societal organization; it is essential for survival and shapes the structures within which individuals operate.

Happiness for Hobbes

Happiness is defined as the ongoing satisfaction of desires, rather than a static condition; it involves a continuous pursuit of success in fulfilling personal objectives.

Vain Conceit

A detrimental belief that one possesses greater wisdom or capability than others, often leading to unjust decisions and actions based on inflated self-perception.

Contract in the Way of Peace

An agreement in which individuals relinquish certain rights in exchange for mutual protection and the establishment of a secure society.

Covenants without the Sword

These are agreements that lack any means of enforcement, rendering them ineffective in ensuring compliance among the parties involved.

Political Authority

The authoritative governing body charged with maintaining peace and resolving disputes among individuals to facilitate a stable and harmonious society.

Rights of Nature vs. Laws of Nature

While the rights of nature advocate for individual freedom and autonomy, the laws of nature impose necessary limitations to foster social order and cooperation.

First Law of Nature

This foundational principle advises individuals to pursue peace to the extent that it is attainable; when peace is unattainable, individuals may resort to means of war for self-preservation.

Sovereign's Actions

The sovereign authority is not constrained by the laws it enforces; this is a vital aspect of sovereignty, granting the ruler the power to act without legal limitations.

Materialism vs. Idealism

Hobbes' philosophy is positioned in contrast to Platonic idealism; it emphasizes the importance of material conditions and tangible realities over abstract ideals.