Thomas Hobbes: State of Nature and Democracy Dr Cathal Coleman 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 2 Contents Human Nature State of Nature Hobbes s Individualism Causes of Conflict How to Avoid State of War(re) Learning Objectives At the End of Lecture You Will Be Able to: Understand Hobbes s Account of the State of Nature Evaluate the Relationship between Democracy and Power 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 3 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 4 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 5 Biographical Sketch 1588: Born Malmesbury Wiltshire 1602 1608: Oxford (BA) 1608: Tutoring/Aide Cavendishes/Earls of Devonshire 1619: Worked with Francis Bacon 1629: Published Translation of Thucydides 1636: Visited Galileo in Florence 1640: Completed Elements of Law 1642: English Civil War. Hobbes Royalist. Publishes De Cive 1649: Charles 1 Executed. Civil War Ends 1651: Publishes Leviathan Excluded from Court 1655-58: Publishes De Corpore, De Homine 1660-1666: Restoration. Bill Introduced to Prosecute Hobbes for Atheism 1668: Published Opera and Latin translation of Leviathan 1670: Completed Behemoth 24/02/2016 1679: Hobbes Died Contract Hardwick & State of Nature Derbyshire aged 91 6 1
Major Works Man: Always in Motion De Cive - 1642 Hobbes s Man is an Automaton: Self-moving Self-directed Alters Motion in Response to Differences in Material And in response to Impact of Other Matter Leviathan 1651 Behemoth - 1679 Completed 1640. Published 1889 7 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 8 Man: Always in Motion Hobbes s Man is an Automaton The Machine s Equipment Senses Imagination Language Reason 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 9 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 10 English Civil War: The Crucial Historical Event English Civil War: 1642-1651 King (Charles 1) v Parliament Cavaliers v Roundheads King Overbearing Prodded Parliament into Action Parliamentarians Win: Charles 1 Beheaded Estimated 200,000 Die 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 11 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 12 2
Key Issues in Civil War Divine Right of Kings (or Sovereign) Rights of Parliament against Crown Breakdown of Relationships All Out War The State of Nature Stated And the life of man: solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 13 Equality: The Characteristics Equality in Physical Attributes Equality in Mental Characteristics The Quality of Hope Equality of Ends 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 15 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 16 State of Nature: Equality Key Feature Men Equal in Physical Attributes: When all is reckoned together, the differences between man and man is not so considerable [p.60] State of Nature: Equality Key Feature Men Equal in Physical Attributes: Mentally Equal Too: I find yet a greater equality than strength. [60] 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 17 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 18 3
State of Nature: Equality Key Feature Men Equal in Physical Attributes: Mentally Hope (Outlook)Characterises All: " From this equality of ability,ariseth equality of hope in the attainment of our Ends. [60] State of Nature: Equality Key Feature Men Equal in Physical Attributes: Mentally: Hope (Outlook) Also: Desiring Similar Ends Leads to Conflict Repeated Conflict 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 19 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 20 Freedom in State of Nature Right to Life Supercedes All Others 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 21 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 22 Freedom in State of Nature Right to Life Supercedes All Others Liberty: absence of externall Impediments Freedom in State of Nature Right to Life Supercedes All Others Liberty: absence of externall Impediments Impediments Derive Residual Liberty: Which Impediments may oft take away part of a man s power to do what hee would; but cannot hinder him from using the power left him [64] 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 23 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 24 4
But, Freedom Breeds Insecurity Every Man has a Right to Do Everything But, Freedom Breeds Insecurity Every Man has a Right to Do Everything Leads to Insecurity Two Laws Derive: every man ought to endeavour Peace as farre as he has hope of obtaining it [65] 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 25 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 26 But, Freedom Breeds Insecurity Every Man has a Right to Do Everything Leads to Insecurity Two Laws Derive: every man ought to endeavour Peace as farre as he has hope of obtaining it [65] That a man be willing to lay down this right to all things [65] Laws Freedom: From... Chains Judging of Right and Wrong 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 27 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 28 Laws Freedom: From and To Chains Judging of Right and Wrong No Right or Wrong! where there is no common power there is no injustice Laws Freedom: From and To Chains Judging of Right and Wrong No Right or Wrong! To: Buying and Selling Family 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 29 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 30 5
Hobbes: Psychological Egoism All Human Actions Motivated by Self-Interest Every Voluntary Act Something I Desire to Do 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 31 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 32 Hobbes: Psychological Egoism All Human Actions Motivated by Self-Interest Every Voluntary Act Something I Desire to Do Hobbes: War Natural Condition of Mankind: Every Man has a Right to everything [64] Every man ought to endeavour Peace and when he cannot attain it he may seek and use all advantages of Warre. [65] Hobbes: Psychological Egoism All Human Actions Motivated by Self-Interest Every Voluntary Act Something I Desire to Do Hobbes: War Natural Condition of Mankind: Peace Merely a Residual State 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 33 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 34 State of War: Psychological Egoism II Result of Psychological Drives? 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 35 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 36 6
Hobbes Inverts Prevailing View on Nature Barbarism the Norm: Not the Exception Man Appetitive Desirous Creature Man: Appetitive Creature Barbarism the Norm not the Exception Hobbes Inverts Prevailing View Barbarism the Norm not the Exception Man Appetitive Desirous Creature Seeks Power Constantly The Power of a Man is his present means to achieve some future apparent Good. [41] 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 37 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 38 Hobbes Inverts Prevailing View Hobbes Inverts Prevailing View. Barbarism Hobbes Inverts the Norm Prevailing not the View. Exception Man Barbarism Appetitive the Desirous Norm not Creature the Exception Seeks Man Appetitive Power Constantly Desirous Creature Seeks The Power of Constantly a Man is his present means to achieve some future apparent Good. [41] The Power of a Man is his present means to achieve Natural some future apparent Power Good. Eminence [41] of the Natural Power Eminence of the faculties of Body or faculties Mind of Body or Mind Power Means and Instruments to Instrumental acquire more [41] Power Means and Instruments to acquire more [41] Conflict in the State of Nature Competition the Norm Individuals Desire Same Things No Rules of the Game No Right or Wrong Violence Necessary to make themselves Masters of other men s persons [62] 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 39 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 40 Competition Conflict in the State of Nature Go for Pre-emptive Strike Safety First is Best: defending wives children and cattel Competition Diffidence Conflict in the State of Nature Glory the Crucial Ingredient Reputation Violence for trifles a word, a smile, a different opinion [62] Scarcity or Abundance Can Drive Desires 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 41 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 42 7
Warre Result of Men Living Without a Common Power to keep them in awe Warre Result of Men Living Without a Common Power to keep them in awe General Disposition Not in battell only 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 43 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 44 Warre Result of Men Living Without a Common Power to keep them in awe General Disposition Not in battell only Every man an Enemy to Each Other No Place for Industry 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 45 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 46 How Do You Avoid State of War? Seek Peace Lay Down Arms If Others Do How Do You Avoid State of War? Seek Peace Lay Down Arms If Others Do Logical That Each Will Accept Proposition: Each Has a Fundamental Right to Preserve Himself Follow Covenants 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 47 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 48 8
Why Seek Peace? Fear of Death Fear of Death Overrides what otherwise is a free for all Why Seek Peace? Fear of Death Fear of Death Overrides what otherwise is a free for all Laying Down Arms Right Right Not Guaranteed Absence of Impediment Doesn t Mean Giving it to Someone Non-exercise of the Right: To devest himselfeof the Liberty, of hindringanother of the benefit of his own right 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 49 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 50 Review We Have Learned: State of Nature Hobbes s Individualism Freedom 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 51 52 Background Assumptions Minimal State Keep Peace and Avoid Harming Others Background Assumptions Hobbes: Self-preservation Overrides All Needs 53 54 9
Background Assumptions Therefore: Subjects Grant Sovereign Unlimited Rights to Ensure Preservation Features of Hobbes s Sovereign Subsumes All Leviathan or Mortal God 55 56 Features of Hobbes s Sovereign Subsumes All Leviathan or Mortal God One Person, of whose Acts a great Multitude, by mutuall Covenants one with another he may use the strength and means of them all, as he shall think expedient, for their Peace [88] Features of Hobbes s Sovereign Subsumes All Leviathan or Mortal God Indivisible - No Independent Sources of Power cf Parliament in England Judges All 57 58 Features of Hobbes s Sovereign Implications of Hobbes s Sovereign Subsumes All Leviathan or Mortal God Indivisible - No Independent Sources of Power cf Parliament in England Responsible for All Peace there is always a duty towards the legislator, whose continuing authority ensures peace. (Malcolm, 1991: 540) 59 60 10
Implications of Hobbes s Sovereign Can t Break Covenant Self- Perpetuating Implications of Hobbes s Sovereign Can t Break Covenant Sovereign is God s Intermediary: there is no Covenant with God, but by mediation of some body that representeth God s person, which none doth but God s Lieutenant, who hath the Sovereignty under God. [89] 61 62 Implications of Hobbes s Sovereign Can t Break Covenant Sovereign is God s Intermediary: Dissent Not Allowed You are Forced to be Free Anticipates Rousseau? The Sovereign: What s in it for Me? Guarantees Security 63 64 The Sovereign: What s in it for Me? The Sovereign: What s in it for Me? Guarantees Security Equality Kind Of Guarantees Security Equality Kind Of Citizen Retains: Rights to Self-defence Residual Liberty 65 66 11
Sovereign: But What Do I Lose? Sovereign: But What Do I Lose? Right of Action 67 68 Sovereign: But What Do I Lose? Right of Action Right to Judge Sovereign Alone Can Judge Charles I & Ship Money Sovereign: But What Do I Lose? Right of Action Right to Judge Covenant Requires Absolute Obedience: 69 70 71 Sovereign: But What Do I Lose? Right of Action Right to Judge Covenant Requires Absolute Obedience: For the Lawes of Nature ( Justice, Equity, Modesty, Mercy doing to others as wee would be done to) without the terrour of some Power are contrary to our naturall Passions [85] And Covenants without the Sword are but Words, and of no strength to secure a man at all. [85] 72 Losses: Enforcing the Covenant 12
Defining Obligation A. J. Simmons: Political obligations are the moral obligations of citizens to support and comply with the requirements of their political authorities (Routledge EP, 1988) 73 74 Defining Obligation Defining Obligation A. J. Simmons: Hobbes: A man Ought, and it is his DUTY, not to make voyd that voluntary act of his own such hindrance is INJUSTICE and INJURY [65] A. J. Simmons: Hobbes: Problem: Understanding why (or if): citizens in various kinds of states are bound by such obligations 75 76 Features of Obligation Obligation: Physical Physical Moral Prudential Motive is: security of a man s person, in his life and in the means of so preserving life, as not to be weary of it. 77 78 13
Obligation: Physical Obligation: Moral Motive is: Negatively: Fear of Death Saving One s Skin Other Concepts Honour etc Won t Wash Obedience to God s Law Yet, Hobbes s a Secular Contract King Determines 79 80 Obligation: Moral Obligation: Moral Obedience to God s Law Keeping Promises Hobbes s Further Law of Nature: Every man is bound by Nature to protect in Warre, the Authority, by which he is protected in time of Peace. [390] Obedience to God s Law Keeping Promises Hobbes s Further Law of Nature: Ought I Keep Promises? 81 82 Obligation: Prudential Obligation: Prudential Hypothetical or Actual? Hypothetical or Actual If Actual: How Can it Hold? Can it be Implemented? 83 84 14
Obligation: Prudential Hypothetical or Actual If Actual: Logical? Founding Contract? Confidence in Sovereign? Based on Fear Obligation: Prudential Hypothetical or Actual Logical? Founding Contract? Based on Benefits Hobbes Dismisses Atheistic Foole (Free Rider): Because All So Desire Safety 85 86 87 Obligation: Prudential Hypothetical or Actual Logical? Founding Contract? Based on Benefits Hobbes Dismisses Atheistic Foole (Free Rider): Because All So Desire Safety Consequences of Failure (of All Agreeing) Are Too Great Critique Contract Hypothetical or Actual Right to Self-Defence v Right of Sovereign Marxist Hobbes a Theory of and for Possessive Market Society This type of society is morally 88 questionable (Macpherson, 1962: 106) Blaug, R. & J.J. Schwarzmantel, 2001. Democracy: A Reader, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Dahl, R.A., I. Shapiro & J.A. Cheibub, 2003. The Democracy Sourcebook, Cambridge MA: The MIT Press. Plamenatz, J., 1963. Man and Society: A Critical Examination of Some Important Social and Political Theories from Machiavelli to Marx, London: Longmans. Plamenatz, J., 1963. Man and Society: A Critical Examination of Some Important Social and Political Theories from Machiavelli to Marx, London: Longmans. Ryan, A., 2012. The Making of Modern Liberalism: Princeton University Press. 24/02/2016 9: Project Closure 89 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 90 15
Podcasts BBC History of Ideas: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programm es/b05pqskp In Our Time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programm es/p003k9l1 24/02/2016 Hobbes Contract & State of Nature 91 16