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HOBBES

➢ Thomas Hobbes was born in 1588. He studied at Oxford and spent much
of his life working as a tutor for an aristocratic family. By the 1640s, he
became known for a number of philosophical works he had published.
➢ It is around this time that Hobbes witnessed the horrors of war that would
shape his political views and beliefs. The English Civil War was fought
between 1642 and 1651 and most likely influenced his ideas of the social
contract.

Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan"

➢ "Leviathan," was written by Thomas Hobbes and published in 1651.
➢ "Leviathan" is a political, philosophical treatise on Hobbes' beliefs about
government and its people.
➢ Hobbes' text has four main parts: the nature of man, the social contract,
religion and the Christian faith/community, and the "kingdom of
darkness."
State Of Nature.
➢ According to him before this society contract theory man lived in a state of
nature.
➢ Man’s life in state of nature was of fear and selfishness.
➢ His life was chaotic in constant fear. Life in Sate of nature was ‘solitary’,
‘brutish’, ‘poor’, ‘nasty’, and ‘short’.
➢ The first part includes Hobbes' beliefs about the nature of man and
humankind and what he considers the "laws of nature."
➢ He affirms that man naturally wants to protect his property and possessions,
life, etc., and lives in a state of self-preservation with the desire to maintain
peace.
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➢ Humans will war if they don't have what they desire, so Hobbes thought it
best for people to have a powerful protector or governing body to oversee
them and protect their interests.
➢ He thought our natural state is one of anarchy and persistent conflict if a
higher power were not in ultimate authority or control; people cannot be
trusted to rule over themselves.

Social Contract

➢ The Second Part relates to Hobbes' interpretation of the social contract,

which is an agreement between a governing body and its people.
➢ Hobbes believed the best and most ideal form of government was a
monarchy.
➢ A powerful and absolute monarchy could best provide protection and
authority needed by men, according to Hobbes.
➢ He also thought a monarchy was the best way to protect people from both
themselves and a large or foreign aggressor.
➢ People must give up some individual rights to their governing body in
exchange for protection and preservation and avoid constant war and
conflict.
➢ In addition, fairness in a state's legal system is needed to maintain law and
order among people.
➢ Overall, in part two, Hobbes highlights the specific responsibilities of
government and its people.

The Major Features of Social Contract

➢ There is a single contract that created the sovereign, therefore the sovereign
is not a part of the contract. The sovereign is born due to the contract;
therefore, he is not a party to it.
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➢ Every person is part of the contract; no one is out of it. If anyone is left out,
then that person will continue to enjoy his or her sovereignty. This cannot
happen since, in one state, there cannot be two sovereign powers. So the
contract includes everyone who once was a part of the state of nature.
➢ Under this contract, every man surrenders his natural rights and powers to a
common sovereign who will “keep them in awe” and provide them with life
security.
➢ The natural rights are surrendered to the sovereign under the contract once
and for all. The contract cannot be revoked or withdrawn. The reason for
this is that if men are allowed to reverse the contract and revive natural
rights, then they can go back to the state of nature.
➢ Sovereign is ultimate source of law.
Why should state law followed?

➢ Law must be followed because it is made by authority who is chosen by us.

It means that ultimately this law is made by us.
➢ Law can not be unjustified. It is always justified and reasonable.

Criticism;

➢ When we surrender our rights, what remains in hour hands.?

➢ No chance to change the sovereign. He may corrupt after selection.
➢ Hobbes could clear that coming generations are also bound by this contract
or not.
➢ This contract is irrevocable.
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SOCILA CONYTRACT

Pactum Pactum
unionis Subjectionis

LIBERTY

SOCIETY LEVIATHON
SECURITY