Thomas Hobbes Social Contract Theory

This paper explores the works produced by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes. After exploring his early life we dive into his journey to becoming one of the most influential philosophers of his time. Discussing his works Leviathan and De Corpore we analyze his view on humans as naturally self- interested beings. Following, we deliberate on the best form of government, which is presented by Hobbes as an absolute sovereign. Hobbes social contract theory is also touched on in this paper as we discuss individuals’ position in the ruling of a city-state. Hobbes stance as a materialist is analyzed within the paper as we touch on his method that is outlined in his 1655 De Corpore. Keywords: Hobbes, sovereign, monarch, political, philosophy

Here, Hobbes social contract theory is introduced. A sovereign will supply safety and happiness to the public when the citizens agree collectively and accept this directive (Oakeshott, 1937). Hobbes uses the law of inertia to clarify the relationship between nature, man, and humanity. He claims that a mans aspiration to do what he pleases is only locked down by an equivalent necessity for safety, just as bodies at rest tend to stay at rest and bodies in motion tend to stay in motion (Lemos, 1978). This is attractive to man as Hobbes saw that without this surrender man would live in “continual fear, and danger of violent death,” and what life he has will be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” (Lemos, 1978). Without the social contract man cannot safely attain Hobbes natural law, which is the activities of those seeking to prosper and survive in a society (Oakeshott, 1937). In the social contract put forward by him, the citizens trade freedom for safety. Since political philosophy at the time was consumed with thoughts of war and uproar, Hobbes suggested that this form of monarchy was necessary. With this the king has absolute jurisdiction over the rights of all, and even if his rule is ostracized or unjust, it will remain (Bowle, 1969). This is because the city-state would be no better

To Hobbes nothing but concrete, material things were real. Further, he believed that even God was a form of material being as well (Bowle, 1969). Still, Hobbes held that while politics can be understood by material effects, it is simply a commonly held consideration that is proof enough that competition stems from human inclination. Although Chapter nine of Leviathan gives us input on the divisions concerning sciences and on the variances of historical knowledge and scientific knowledge, it is in his De Corpore where method is discussed in greater detail (Lemos, 1978). Four parts comprise Hobbes 1655 De Corpore, which was part of a trilogy. The other two books in the trilogy were titled De Homine, “Concerning Man”, in 1658 and De Cive, “Concerning the Citizen”, in 1642. The trilogy was meant to organize the sciences of politics, natural science, and psychology into a hierarchy. However, the trilogy was not published in descending order (Lemos, 1978). Part one of De Corpore looks at logic and part two examines scientific concepts. Following, part three assesses Hobbes suggestion for a science of motion, geometry, and mathematics. Lastly, part four looks at physics. Hobbes main work on method is laid out in De Corpore, more specifically chapter six, where he speaks of the correct model of scientific explanation in his eyes