Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan Overview

Hobbes asserts that men are naturally equal in body and mind.
Equality: Despite varying strengths or intellectual capabilities, differences do not justify any claims of superiority.
- Example: Weaker individuals can band together to overcome stronger opponents.
This equality leads to competition over limited resources.
Three Principal Causes of Quarrel:
1. Competition: Invades for gain.
2. Diffidence: Invades for safety (self-preservation).
3. Glory: Reputation leads individuals to engage in conflicts.

Without common power, the state is one of perpetual war: "War of every man against every man."
Life in the State of Nature: Hobbes describes it as solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
Industry and Peace: In a state of war, productive activity (like agriculture, trade) cannot take place due to fear of violent death.
Consequences: Constant fear prevents social advancement, knowledge accumulation, and the development of culture.

A common power or authority is necessary to maintain peace and order.
Hobbes advocates for a strong sovereign authority to enforce laws and protect citizens.
Social Contract: Individuals collectively agree to relinquish certain rights in exchange for protection and order.

First Law: Seek peace, and when you cannot obtain it, endeavour to defend yourself by all means.
Second Law: Individuals must be willing to relinquish some rights to achieve peace with others.
Injustice: Defined as failing to keep covenants made in a civil society.
- In the condition of war, concepts of right and wrong become irrelevant, as force and fraud become the governing principles.

Covenants: These are agreements made between parties where rights are mutually transferred.
Covenants are only valid when enforced by a common power.
Invalid Covenants: Those made in a state of fear or coercion are non-binding unless a power ensures mutual compliance.

An oath is added to a promise to reinforce the obligation, invoking a greater fear of divine retribution against breaking the oath.
Critique of Oaths: Only oaths made in the name of the true God are valid; oaths made in vain or by lesser powers are useless.

Justice arises from law and requires a common power to enforce it.
Definition of Justice: Fulfilment of covenants made; thus, breaking covenants is considered injustice.
Without civil authority, the terms 'just' and 'unjust' hold no meaning as everyone is in a constant state of war.

Hobbes emphasizes the necessity of a strong authoritative structure to ensure peace, justice, and social order, illustrating the fragile nature of human relations in the absence of governance.