Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan Notes

Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan: Human Nature and Governance

The Nature of Man

  • Hobbes examines how human nature and self-interest necessitate governance.

  • The central theme revolves around understanding human nature.

  • Political nature can be better understood through the understanding of human nature.

Paragraph One

  • Universal human nature dictates the need for governance.

  • Everyone possesses the potential for power.

  • The concept of "Man vs. Man" is introduced.

  • Nature has made men equal.

  • Individuals can still overpower others.

  • Even the weakest can kill the strongest through:

    • Confederacy: Joining forces.

    • Secret machination: Plotting.

Paragraph Two

  • Human nature involves thinking highly of oneself.

  • Prudence is a common mental faculty.

    • Prudence: Cautiousness driven by the desire for self-preservation.

  • Respect is given to those perceived as better.

  • Pride leads individuals to value their own wisdom.

Competition and Diffidence

Paragraph Three

  • The desire to obtain what one wants leads to conflict.

  • Game Theory dynamics: Winner vs. loser.

  • Competition arises from human nature.

  • Competition for power leads to conflict.

  • Invasion is a risk for those in power.

  • Diffidence: Eliminating competition.

  • Leads to a state of war.

Paragraph Four

  • Self-preservation requires dominion over others.

  • Human nature needs regulation.

  • Morality and laws govern our nature.

  • Diffidence drives the desire for dominion.

  • Empires are built for self-preservation.

  • Conquering others conserves one's own life.

Paragraph Five

  • Humans desire validation from others.

  • Competition aims to establish superiority.

Paragraph Six

  • Three causes of war in human nature:

    • Competition.

    • Diffidence.

    • Glory.

Traits and Governance

Paragraph Seven

  • Negative aspects of these traits:

    • Greed.

    • Harmful competition.

Paragraph Eight

  • Competition drives men to acquire.

  • Diffidence promotes safety.

  • Glory enhances reputation.

  • Reputation is crucial for dominion.

  • Human nature necessitates governance and laws.

  • Diffidence: Fear of attack leading to action.

Paragraph Nine

  • Existence is binary (War or Peace) with no neutral ground.

  • War includes the anticipation of battle.

Paragraph Ten

  • Safety is self-provided but insufficient alone.

  • Collective understanding of protection is necessary.

  • Self-preservation fails in a state of war.

Paragraph Eleven

  • Agreement precedes obedience to laws.

  • Laws are broken due to human nature.

  • Distrust in others.

  • External guidance on good and bad is required.

  • Laws are needed to deter cheating.

  • Law dictates actions regardless of moral compass.

Laws and Human Nature

  • Moral compass is inconsequential until a law is in place.

  • Driven by consequences.

Paragraph Thirteen

  • War persists even with governance.

Paragraph Fourteen

  • Absence of laws equates to absence of justice.

  • External instruction on morality is required.

  • Absence of right or wrong.

  • Laws protect against harm.

  • Justice and injustice require co-existence.

  • Governance is needed when actions affect others.

  • Human nature is inherently selfish.

Paragraph Fifteen

  • Primary nature drives war; secondary, survival.

  • Peace is desired for a better life.

  • Reason facilitates peace.

  • Laws enable peace.

  • Reason is required for laws.

  • Agreement is born of the desire for peace.

Chapter 14: Right of Nature

  • Right of nature: Liberty aligned with one's nature.

  • Liberty: Absence of external impediments.

  • Laws of nature: Govern liberties using reason.

Paragraph One

  • Right of nature (Hobbes): Self-preservation is primary.

  • Government governs rationality.

  • Individual reason improves life.

  • Purpose: Better self-preservation.

Paragraph Two

  • Right of nature equates to liberty.

  • Liberty enables self-preservation.

  • Liberty: Freedom from physical impediments.

  • Impediment: Hindrance.

  • Laws limit liberties mentally.

Liberty and Law

Paragraph Three

  • Distinction: Liberty vs. Law, Right vs. Law.

  • Laws are discovered through reason.

  • Law of nature is intrinsic.

  • Confusion between right and law exists.

  • Laws define the extent of rights.

Paragraph Four

  • Right: Liberty; Law: Obligation.

  • Law is compulsory; Right is optional.

  • Obligation is to society.

Paragraph Five

  • No one is safe due to universal rights.

  • Natural state: State of War.

  • Reason governs in a state of war.

  • Reason discovers the next law.

Fundamental Law of Nature

  • Seek peace or use war.

  • Justice creates peace.

Paragraph Five

  • Prioritize peace.

Second Fundamental Law of Nature

  • Relinquish unwanted rights.

  • Grant others the same liberties you desire.

  • State of war and self-preservation define our nature.

  • Trust is superseded by diffidence.

  • Personal benefit is the primary instinct.

Paragraph Six

  • Surrendering a right prevents denial to others.

Paragraph Seven

  • Follow laws for societal adherence.

  • Rights are transferred to the state to be dictated.

  • Reason dictates right law.

Paragraph Eight

  • Renouncing: Giving up rights without transference that don't affect you.

  • Transferring: Assigning rights to another entity.

  • Transferring to society to create uniform behavior.

  • Leviathan: Governing entity that controls behavior.

  • Consequences drive morality.

Liberty, War, and Peace

Paragraph One

  • Liberty is desired.

  • Liberty is bad (Hobbes): Lack of free will.

  • Use liberties for protection.

  • War establishes peace for self-preservation.

Paragraph Two

  • State of war arises from the absence of a governing power.

  • Natural passions don't drive us to be naturally good.

  • Honor for wealth is natural.

  • The natural state without control comes from building power to protect self preservation.

  • Conquering neighbors eliminates enemies.

Paragraph Three

  • Enemies can exist even in small armies.

  • War unites people.

  • Common enemy unites people.

Paragraph Four

  • Lack of a common enemy causes internal conflict.

  • The common good must be considered.

  • Agreement on justice negates the need for governance.

Paragraph Five

  • Desire for security and personal desires cause war.

  • Removal of a common enemy leads to internal conflict.

  • This is because of human nature.

Paragraph Six

  • Animals act on instinct; humans act on impulse.

  • Animals act based on nature alone.

  • Humans compete for respect, not only survival.

Paragraph Seven

  • Humans prioritize personal good over the common good.

  • Humans naturally question their leader because they think that they are better.

  • Moral values create division.

  • Inactivity leads to conflict.

  • Men's agreements are artificial, driven by self-interest.

  • Submission to authority/government is needed for peace.

  • Giving up rights and liberties when submitting to a government.

  • All parties agree to forfeit their liberties.

  • Leviathan: The sovereign to whom allegiance is owed.

  • Fear of consequences empowers the government.

  • Social contract: Agreement between people and government.

    • Giving up liberties.

  • Power by force (Commonwealth of acquisition) and power by agreement (Commonwealth of institution).