Thomas Hobb’s Asks what is the essential “nature of humanity? Asks what is the essential “nature of humanity? He tries to answer the question in The Leviathan

In the state of Nature… There are no laws, no courts, no political organization There are no laws, no courts, no political organization “I want what I want when I want it!” “I want what I want when I want it!”

Can’t we just be nice to one another? Even appearance of altruism satisfies a personal need. Even appearance of altruism satisfies a personal need. Why did Lincoln rescue the piglets? Why did Lincoln rescue the piglets? mutual gain…

In Nature… Whatever I desire is “good” Whatever I desire is “good” Whatever threatens me is “evil” Whatever threatens me is “evil”

In Nature… all people are equal… all people are equal… equally capable of killing one another either by strength, manipulation, or in collaboration with others

Humans are by nature are… 1- Vain: we love self-glorification we want others to value us as highly as we do (So our goal is reputation) 1- Vain: we love self-glorification we want others to value us as highly as we do (So our goal is reputation) 2- Competitive: when two people desire the same thing and only one can have it they become enemies. (So our goal is profit or gain) 2- Competitive: when two people desire the same thing and only one can have it they become enemies. (So our goal is profit or gain)

The result of our competitiveness? 3- Suspiciousness: you never know when 3- Suspiciousness: you never know when someone will konk you on the head from behind and pick you clean (So our goal is safety).

Was Hobbes a Pessimist? Just because we’re serious about protecting our things and our safety doesn’t mean we expect the worst in others. Just because we’re serious about protecting our things and our safety doesn’t mean we expect the worst in others. BUT BUT Without rules the possibility of lapsing into state of nature exists…we all may act vain, competitive, or unduly suspicious of one another….

What should we do? Why trade some of our freedom to live I community? Why trade some of our freedom to live I community? Do we need a “social contract” ? Do we need a “social contract” ? So we don’t suffer from injustice, BUT we can’t give up our right for self preservation and self defense.

We agree to have a leader: Leviathan We seek peace (Social Contract) we have a better chance of survival with Absolute Monarch to impose social order We seek peace (Social Contract) we have a better chance of survival with Absolute Monarch to impose social order We won’t harm one another We won’t harm one another We rely on one another to keep our promises We rely on one another to keep our promises If we don’t keep our promises the contract is null and void If we don’t keep our promises the contract is null and void

John Locke Asks what is the essential “nature of humanity? Asks what is the essential “nature of humanity? He tries to answer the question in Two Treatises on Government (1690) He tries to answer the question in Two Treatises on Government (1690)

Humans are by nature are… Reasonable and cooperative abundance-no competition Reasonable and cooperative abundance-no competition Created by God with Created by God with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of personal property: self and fruit of labor

What should we do? Create a “Social contract”: that acts in our rational self-interest Create a “Social contract”: that acts in our rational self-interest Absolute Monarchy Absolute Monarchy violates purpose of civil society