Social Contract Theory by Thomas Hobbes (PDF)

Social Contract Theory THOMAS HOBBES "Lets all agree to limit our behaviour in certain ways for the better of society " Ancient Social Contract Theory  Glau...

Social Contract Theory THOMAS HOBBES "Lets all agree to limit our behaviour in certain ways for the better of society " Ancient Social Contract Theory  Glaucon’s suggestion on the nature and origin of justice:  “They say that to do injustice is, by nature, good; to suffer injustice, evil; but that the evil is greater than the good. And so when men have both done and suffered injustice and have had experience of both, not being able to avoid the one and obtain the other, they think that they had better agree among themselves to have neither; hence there arise laws and mutual covenants; and that which is ordained by law is termed by them lawful and just.” (Republic, Book 2)  Accepting a set of shared rules of conduct allows us to avoid the evils of injustice. We are motivated to follow this system of morality because we are better off with it than without.  Argues for absolute because he living authority was in a time of chaos - war over people king fighting rule vs Thomas Hobbes. government role  Lived from 1588-1679.  British political, social and moral philosopher.  Known most for Leviathan (1651).  Believed in psychological egoism and consequentialism. Distinct form ethical egoism , the view that moral actions are purley self-interested Assumed to be Atheist Psychological Egoism  The view that human action is motivated by self-interest, to obtain satisfaction and avoid pain.  A descriptive claim that actions can only aim at one’s own welfare  Distinct from ethical egoism, the view that moral actions are purely self-interested.  A normative claim of what we ought to do.  Consistent with attending to the interests of others, as long as it is in your interest to do so.  State of Nature  All humans are basically equal in terms of desires and abilities.  Humans are naturally egoistic, and in competition for limited resources.  Humans are prideful, sensitive to insult, and possess limited benevolence.  What does the state of nature look like?  That is, what would life look like without a functioning government and society?  State of Nature  Without any regulation or control of this competition, humans will live in a constant state of war; a war of all against all!  No morality or justice;  No industry (“the fruit thereof is uncertain” Ch.13);  No cultivation of the earth;  No navigation or discovery;  “No account of time, no practical skills, no literature or scholarship, no society.” (Ch.13)  Continual fear and danger of violent death N-  “The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” (Ch. 13)  Rights in the State of Nature? Rules of reason  The Right of Nature  The right to do whatever one needs to preserve one’s life.  The Law of Nature  Practical reason dictates that people should embrace that which seems necessary to ensure preservation (and avoid that which threatens preservation).  Fundamental Rules of Reason  1st Law: Seek peace and follow it.  “….every man, ought to endeavor peace, as far as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps, and advantages of war.” (Ch. 14) Hobbesian Social Contract Theory An act, a is right, wrong or obligatory , if and permissible impermissable only if a is the , moral code outlined or obligatory , according to by the sovereign  Fundamental Rules of Reason  2nd Law: Treat others as you would be treated.  “When a man thinks that peace and self-defence require it, he should be willing (when others are too) to lay down his right to everything, and should be contented with as much liberty against other men as he would allow other men against himself.” (Ch. 14)  A contract or agreement of mutual advantage!  Leviathan  Though we are obliged by reason to abide by this agreement, Hobbes argues “contracts, without the sword, are but words.” (Ch.17)  Need to ensure everyone adheres to the mutually beneficial agreement.  Must avoid a return to the state of nature at all cost!  Leviathan  Solution: Enter the sovereign  Sovereign provides citizens a collective defense and ensures personal security in return for complete obedience.  The creation and enforcement of laws.  To ensure the social contract and keep us from the state of nature, the sovereign must have absolute (undivided and unlimited) power.  Leviathan 1. Because virtually any government would be better than a civil war (State of Nature), and, 2. All but absolute governments are systematically prone to dissolution into civil war, C. Rational agents ought to submit themselves to an absolute political authority, a leviathan, a sovereign  Leviathan  A government’s role is to get us out of the state of nature.  It does this by enforcing a promise (social contract) that we all agree to.  Did we ever make this promise?  Doesn’t matter. You implicitly make this promise by living (and being born) in this society.  Besides, even promises made under threat of violence are binding.  Further Concerns?  State of nature?  Was the state of nature really as Hobbes suggests? ↓ biggest  Absolute power to the sovereign? concern  We always have the natural right of self- defence.  When can we revolt?  But so long as life under the sovereign is better than the state of nature, we have no right to revolt. noconsent  Further Concerns?  Psychological egoism?  The is-ought fallacy?  Taking a descriptive claim and drawing a normative conclusion. Need an argument for this!  Moral education?  What about genuine altruism? Other motivations?  What about those who can’t help themselves?  Moral conflicts?  What if being honest and not honest was both in your interest?  Difficult to judge what is in your best interest?  Further Concerns?  Psychological egoism?  The is-ought fallacy?  Taking a descriptive claim and drawing a normative conclusion. Need an argument for this!  Moral education?  What about genuine altruism? Other motivations?  What about those who can’t help themselves?  Moral conflicts?  What if being honest and not honest was both in your interest?  Difficult to judge what is in your best interest?