Essay on Thomas Hobbes Social Contract Theory - 982 Words

In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes lays out the hypothetical principal of the state of nature, where human it-self is artificial. It is human nature that people will not be able to love permanently, everyone against everyone power between the strongest. In this nation-state you must be the strongest in order to survive (survival of the fittest). In order to survive there are laws we must follow, to insure of our security because of fear. We were able to suppress our fear, by creating order, to have more order; we must have security, so the social contract appeared. Thomas Hobbes implies to the idea of social contract to resolve the problem of war and disorder. If social contract were not created, there would be no law. If there’s no law, the†¦show more content†¦The only thing that kept us moving is our desire. Thomas Hobbes implies, â€Å"The cause of whereof is that the object of man’s desire is not to enjoy once only, and for instant of time, but to assure forever the way of his future desire.† ( pp,57) We must insure that we can satisfy our desire today, tomorrow and the day after that. The desire attained does not satisfy our hunger. Humans are like scavengers wanting more and more power. By achieving such desire, we are securing the power to live well. To make sure to secure this power, we must be able to do something about it and allow the power to grow. Sometimes we might want to achieve the same desire. Hobbes input the hypothetical idea, â€Å"From this equality of ability ariseth equality of hope in the attaining of our ends. And therefore, if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (page 75) In this condition everyone is against everyone. In order to survive, we must compete. There is no security to any of the men. Everyone wants the same thing, there’s competition which turn into war. Hobbes applies to his theory that, â€Å" And consequently it is a precept, or general rule, of reason that every man ought to endeavor peace, as far as he hope of obtaining it, and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek and use all advantages of war.† ( pg 80) If we cannot seek peace and follow it, the only thing left for us to do is to defend ourselves. It’s like predatorShow MoreRelatedSocial Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes2009 Words   |  9 Pag esSocial contract theory, nearly as old as philosophy itself, is the view that person s moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live. The Social Contract is largely associated with modern moral and political theory, and is given its first full exposition and defense by Thomas Hobbes in his piece, Leviathan. After Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the best known proponents of this influential theoryRead MoreThomas Hobbes And The Social Contract Theory1088 Words   |  5 PagesConstitution has been kept the same. The Leviathan, Two Treatises, and the Declaration of Independence serve as underpinnings of the Constitution to keep and protect our freedoms. Thomas Hobbes wrote the Leviathan in the early 1640 s. Hobbes Leviathan played a part of social contract theory. The social contract theory is a voluntary agreement among individuals that which organized society is brought it into being and invested with the right to secure a mutual protection and welfare to regulate theRead MoreEssay on Thomas Hobbes and the Social Theory Contract597 Words   |  3 PagesPhilosopher, Thomas Hobbes and the Social Theory Contract for a clear understanding of the issues. 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Using textual evidence and uncontroversialRead MoreThomas Hobbes and John L ockes Varying Presentations of the Social Contract Theory1499 Words   |  6 PagesBoth Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are well-known political philosophers and social contract theorists. Social Contract Theory is, â€Å"the hypothesis that one’s moral obligations are dependent upon an implicit agreement between individuals to form a society.† (IEP, Friend). Both Hobbes and Locke are primarily known for their works concerning political philosophy, namely Hobbes’ Leviathan and Locke’s Two Treatise of Government. 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The concept emphasizes authority over individuals, in other words, the social contract favors authority (e.g. the Sovereign) over the individuals, because men have to forfeit their personal right and freedom to the government, in exchange for protection and security, which I will further elaborate