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Cover of The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)

The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)

Written by Thomas Hobbes

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Philosophy, English

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About this book

"The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)" by Hobbes is a philosophical treatise written in the early 19th century. This volume presents Hobbes' exploration of government, society, and the laws of nature, shedding light on the foundational principles of civil governance and natural rights. It aims to discuss the duties and rights of individuals within a societal framework, emphasizing the need for a social contract to maintain order and prevent conflict. The opening of this volume lays the groundwork for Hobbes' argument, asserting that the natural state of humanity is one of conflict and competition, which he terms a "war of all against all." He critiques the belief that humans are inherently social beings, suggesting instead that their interactions are primarily driven by self-interest and mutual fear. In this chaos, Hobbes argues, establishing a civil society through mutual agreements and a common authority is essential for the preservation of peace and the protection of individual rights. He sets forth a methodical exploration of the principles underlying human nature, justice, contracts, and the formation of governments, providing a clear framework for understanding the complexities of political organization and moral philosophy.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11), written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 12 hours
  • advanced
  • philosophical
  • analytical
  • rigorous

Volume 02 of 'The English Works of Thomas Hobbes' delves into the foundational principles of civil governance, presenting Hobbes's exploration of government, society, and the laws of nature. It critically asserts that humanity's natural state is one of perpetual conflict, a 'war of all against all,' driven by self-interest and mutual fear, challenging the notion of humans as inherently social beings. To escape this chaos, Hobbes argues for the necessity of a social contract, where individuals surrender some natural rights to an absolute sovereign authority. This establishment of a common power is crucial for maintaining order, ensuring peace, and protecting individual rights, thereby forming the bedrock of civil society and political organization.

“During the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called Warre; and such a warre, as is of every man, against every man.”

Key themes

The State of Nature
Hobbes's foundational premise describing human existence without government or common authority. It is a hypothetical condition of perpetual conflict, 'the war of all against all,' where individuals are driven by self-preservation, fear, and competition. In this state, there is no justice, property, industry, or culture, and life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.'
Sovereignty and Absolute Power
Hobbes argues that the sovereign power, once established by the social contract, must be absolute, indivisible, and unquestionable. Its authority is paramount to prevent the state from collapsing back into the state of nature. The sovereign is the ultimate arbiter of law and justice, and subjects have no right to rebel, as doing so would undermine the very foundation of peace and order.
The Social Contract
The voluntary agreement among individuals to mutually transfer some of their natural rights (particularly the right to use violence) to a common sovereign power. This contract is the rational solution to escape the state of nature, forming the basis of civil society and legitimate government, ensuring peace, order, and security in exchange for absolute liberty.

Worth discussing

To what extent does Hobbes's 'state of nature' accurately reflect human behavior without government, and what are the implications of this view for political systems?

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