1. We are engage in an incessant struggle for power over one another
2. All people shun their death
The State of Nature- A condition of perfect freedom in which no one has authority over anyone else
With nothing to restrain individuals, everyone is free to indulge their desire for power over others
The State of Nature becomes a war “…where every man is enemy to every man.” Life is”…solitary, poore, nasty, brutish and short
Hobbes says that in the State of Nature all individuals are equal. No one has a higher rank. They have a natural right to do as they wish to invade everyone else
However, the law of nature would also require individuals to seek some better means of preserving themselves, of avoiding death
What is a civilized person to do?
A reasonable person would see that he would have to give up his right to do as he wished provided everyone else gives up this right
A commonwealth is established through a covenant or social contract
Reasonable people must transfer power to some authority who will protect them
For a covenant to be valid, a sovereign authority must enforce the terms of the contract because “… covenant without the sword, are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all.” (Ch 17)
Individuals must say, “I authorize and give up my Right of Governing my selfe to this man, or to this Assembly of man… on this condition that thou give up thy right to him.”
The sovereign governs with the consent of the people
The sovereign is infused with the powers of all those who agreed to the covenant
All liberties man had in the state of nature are transferred to the sovereign
… the only expectation is the individual’s right to self-preservation
The sovereign’s duty is to ensure the preservation of itself and hence of its subjects by any means necessary
Hobbes say the only way out of the state of nature is for people to hand over all their rights and powers to a sovereign
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