Key terms - Thomas Hobbes

*Summum Bonum*

The Aristotelian idea that there is a highest good humans might attain.

*Summum Malum*

The Hobbesian idea that humans are driven by the hope to avoid a sudden, violent death.

Natural aristocracy

An idea rejected by Hobbes - the idea that humans are capable of reason to different extents, and should rule in accordance with this.

The Divine Right of Kings

The idea that rulers receive power over the people from God. Rejected by Hobbes.

The populist argument.

The idea that governments are made legitimate by consent.

Disunited multitude

The manner Hobbes uses to describe the people without a sovereign.

Materialism

The idea that the world is simply matter in motion. Accepted by Hobbes.

Empiricism

The idea that all knowledge is drawn from the senses. Accepted by Hobbes.

Conventionalism

The idea that principles - even moral values - are not grounded in any ‘higher’ reality that transcends the physical world, but are instead the product of human agreement. Accepted by Hobbes.

Anti-metaphysicism

An expression of Hobbes’ materialism, seen through his tension with religious orthodoxy, and the fact he was likely a closeted atheist.

The State of Nature

A theoretical construct used by Hobbes to highlight the importance of government.

Competition

The competition in the State of Nature over resources for survival.

Diffidence

The mutual fear present in the State of Nature that leads to arms races

Vainglory

A desire to succeed, even if taking foolish risks, Hobbes believed to be present in human nature, and prevalent in the State of Nature.

Thin Sociability

An Aristotelian notion that humans are inherently social, political animals.

Thin Sociability

The Hobbesian notion that sociability isn’t man’s natural condition, but can be learned through language.

The Right of Nature

The right to do whatever we judge necessary for our self-preservation.

The Fundamental Law of Nature

To seek peace and follow it. However, if peace is not available, by the Right of Nature, one can use the advantages of war.

The Second Law of Nature

The agreement to lay down our Right of Nature, if it can be co-ordinated with others, to enjoy safety.

The Social Contract

A method by which individuals submit to a third party in exchange for unity and safety.

A Concord

A community based on consensus and friendship, seeking peace and protection. Hobbes rejects this model.

A Union

A community grounded in individualist survival interests. The preservation of life and liberty requires unity of purpose, and reciprocal assistance. This is Hobbes’ model.

Hobbes’ Laws of Union

• The Sovereign is not subject the Social Contract itself. The parties of the contract are individuals who agree to give up their rights. The Social Contract is a relation of submission.

• The Sovereign doesn’t have to be an individual. It could be a monarchy, aristocracy or democracy.

• The Sovereign is a representative authorised by the subjects, through the Social Contract. The disunited multitude comes to have one will, and the Sovereign represents the unity created by this act of Covenanting.

• As such, nothing the Sovereign does to an individual can be called an injustice, as they are a representative of the people. Absolute sovereignty is justified, as is tyranny.

*Person by fiction*

The method Hobbes uses to describe the Sovereign, and how they represent the one will of the disunited multitude.