NATURAL LLAW AND POSITIVISM

The social contract; Hobbes.

According to Hobbes, it would be a state of nature - in a such a state humans act in self interest and are ruled by instinct and freedom. Chaos will reign until reason leads people to realize that such a state is not sustainable- groups of people realize that if they do not order society, they would exist in a state of uncertainty. People therefore decides to enter into a SOCIAL CONTRACT - each person gives up their unlimited freedom inorder to have a peaceful coexistence. In exchange for sacrificing unlimited freedom in a state of nature , they receive the guarantee of protection and order from their leaders. Fear of their own destruction makes it possible for individuals to accept the authority of the rules [ government]. The ruler lays down legal rules that people must follow and that they have agreed to.