Politcal Philosophy Notes
SECTION 1: POLITICAL ORGANISATION
-Human Nature/State of Nature -
THOMAS HOBBES has a pessimistic view of human nature; “the war of all against all.” * In order to achieve felicity, one must become powerful. Power is the means to secure goods now and in the future. Since we will all, forever be wanting goods, the quest for power is a competitive one. * All humans, by virtue of their individual strengths and weaknesses have a more or less equal ability to kill each other. * This dismal trifecta of equality, uncertainty, and scarcity make the state of nature a perpetual state of war. * The only law in the state of nature, HOBBES says, is that anybody may do whatever they like, if it is in their own interest. * Criticism: We are surely not as cruel and selfish as HOBBES believes us to be. * Response: HOBBES agrees that we are not, but, in a state of nature, pre-emptive strikes and threat of attack would make us become overly fearful, this could lead humans to attack not for personal gain but for future security. * In this state of nature, humans put aside what is collectively rational and collectively interested (i.e. being peaceful with each other) to pursue instead what is individually rational and self interested. * The essence of the state is submission to this collective rationality, being coerced into following the law in order to preserve society for all.
JOHN LOCKE’S state of nature is very different; he calls his a state of “peace, good will, mutual assistance, and preservation”. * LOCKE asserts first that all humans are born free and equal. Nobody has a natural right to subordinate another human. * He then argues that we rationally, or theologically, arrive at a law of nature which gives each human a right to life, liberty and property. * In the state of nature we have a duty to respect these rights because it is what is good for mankind. * LOCKE’S state of nature then is a “state of liberty, not a
-Human Nature/State of Nature -
THOMAS HOBBES has a pessimistic view of human nature; “the war of all against all.” * In order to achieve felicity, one must become powerful. Power is the means to secure goods now and in the future. Since we will all, forever be wanting goods, the quest for power is a competitive one. * All humans, by virtue of their individual strengths and weaknesses have a more or less equal ability to kill each other. * This dismal trifecta of equality, uncertainty, and scarcity make the state of nature a perpetual state of war. * The only law in the state of nature, HOBBES says, is that anybody may do whatever they like, if it is in their own interest. * Criticism: We are surely not as cruel and selfish as HOBBES believes us to be. * Response: HOBBES agrees that we are not, but, in a state of nature, pre-emptive strikes and threat of attack would make us become overly fearful, this could lead humans to attack not for personal gain but for future security. * In this state of nature, humans put aside what is collectively rational and collectively interested (i.e. being peaceful with each other) to pursue instead what is individually rational and self interested. * The essence of the state is submission to this collective rationality, being coerced into following the law in order to preserve society for all.
JOHN LOCKE’S state of nature is very different; he calls his a state of “peace, good will, mutual assistance, and preservation”. * LOCKE asserts first that all humans are born free and equal. Nobody has a natural right to subordinate another human. * He then argues that we rationally, or theologically, arrive at a law of nature which gives each human a right to life, liberty and property. * In the state of nature we have a duty to respect these rights because it is what is good for mankind. * LOCKE’S state of nature then is a “state of liberty, not a