Gavin Howe
Thomas Hobbes's first law of human nature is a statement about the desire for power and the need for self-preservation. Hobbes's philosophy revolves around the idea of a state of nature, which he describes as a state of continuous and comprehensive war, where the only laws that exist are based on self-preservation. The first law of nature, according to Hobbes, is that individuals should seek peace with others, but if others are not willing to cooperate, they may resort to violent action to secure their survival. This law reflects Hobbes's view of human nature as a restless striving for power, with no inherent end goal or happiness. He argues that human beings are inherently selfish, competitive, and anti-social, and that their rationality is driven by self-interest. This pessimistic view of human nature forms the basis for Hobbes's political philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of a sovereign authority to maintain order and prevent a return to the chaotic state of nature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Seek peace with others | Peace |
| Use the "helps of war" if others are not willing to cooperate | Violent action |
| Seek self-preservation | Self-preservation |
| Seek power | Power |
| Seek pleasure | Pleasure |
| Avoid pain | Pain |
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What You'll Learn
- Hobbes' first law of human nature is that every person should seek peace with others
- If peace is unobtainable, Hobbes' law states that violent action is permitted
- This law is derived from the human desire for self-preservation
- Hobbes' view of human nature is that humans are selfish, competitive, and anti-social
- Hobbes' laws of nature are not descriptions of how humans naturally act
Hobbes' first law of human nature is that every person should seek peace with others
Hobbes's first law of human nature is that every person should seek peace with others. This law is based on the idea that individuals need to seek peace to satisfy their desires, including the natural desire for self-preservation. In other words, peaceful coexistence requires reciprocity, and if only one party seeks peace, it is unlikely to be established or maintained.
This law is a part of Hobbes's concept of the ""state of nature," which he describes as a state of continuous and comprehensive war. In this state, the only laws that exist are based on self-preservation, and there is no higher authority to adjudicate disputes. As a result, everyone fears and mistrusts each other, leading to an absence of justice, commerce, and culture.
To escape this state of nature, Hobbes argues that individuals must enter into a social contract, relinquishing their natural rights and transferring their self-sovereignty to a higher civil authority, often referred to as the ""Leviathan." This sovereign power is absolute and its will is law, ensuring that individuals can no longer act solely in their self-interest.
For Hobbes, the authority of the sovereign is crucial in maintaining peace and order. He recognizes that life under a sovereign may not be perfect, but it is the best option available to avoid the chaos and conflict of the state of nature. This belief in the importance of a strong sovereign power forms the basis of Hobbes's political philosophy, which has been described as "drastically authoritarian."
While some may object to Hobbes's pessimistic view of human nature, his ideas continue to be influential in political theory, particularly in understanding the development of modern natural rights and the social contract.
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If peace is unobtainable, Hobbes' law states that violent action is permitted
Thomas Hobbes's first law of human nature is that every person should seek peace with others, unless others are not willing to cooperate, in which case one may use the "helps of war".
Hobbes's first law of nature has two parts to it. The first part encourages a state of peace by instructing individuals to satisfy their desire for self-preservation. Peaceful coexistence requires reciprocity, and if only one party seeks peace, it is unlikely to be established. The second part of the law states that if others are not interested in settling the conflict, one must resort to violent action to secure one's survival.
Hobbes's concept of the "state of nature" is an essential element of his social contract theory. He describes the state of nature as a state of continuous and comprehensive war, where the only laws that exist are principles based on self-preservation. In the absence of a higher authority to adjudicate disputes, everyone fears and mistrusts everyone else, and there can be no justice, commerce, or culture. This unsustainable condition, according to Hobbes, can only be resolved when individuals agree to a social contract, relinquishing their natural rights and transferring their self-sovereignty to a higher civil authority, or Leviathan.
Hobbes's view of human nature is pessimistic and egoistic. He sees human nature as a restless striving for power, with no end and therefore no happiness or perfection. Hobbes's model shows that human beings are selfish, competitive, and anti-social, and that they are rational only insofar as reason serves their selfish passions. This leads to conflict when humans live together or even in close proximity, as their natural desires and aversions clash.
Therefore, according to Hobbes, if peace is unobtainable, violent action is permitted to secure one's survival. This idea is a crucial aspect of Hobbes's political philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of a strong sovereign authority to maintain order and prevent a return to the chaotic state of nature.
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This law is derived from the human desire for self-preservation
Thomas Hobbes's first law of human nature is derived from the human desire for self-preservation. In his work, Hobbes describes the "state of nature" as a state of continuous and comprehensive war, where the only laws that exist are based on self-preservation. This idea of the "state of nature" is a key element of Hobbes's social contract theory, which argues that individuals must give up their natural rights and submit to a higher civil authority to escape the chaotic state of nature.
Hobbes believed that humans have a natural inclination towards self-preservation and the pursuit of power. He saw human nature as a restless striving for power, with no end and therefore no true happiness or perfection. This view, presented in his work "Leviathan," portrays humans as creatures driven by their appetites and aversions, seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, and constantly desiring more power.
The first law of nature, according to Hobbes, is that individuals should seek peace with others whenever possible. However, if others are not willing to cooperate, one may resort to violent action to ensure their survival. This law recognizes the natural right of individuals to do what is necessary for their survival, even if it leads to a state of war. To escape this cycle of conflict, Hobbes argued for the establishment of a social contract and the formation of a sovereign power.
The concept of self-preservation is central to Hobbes's first law of human nature. By understanding our innate drive for self-preservation, we can establish rules and laws that promote peaceful coexistence. This involves using reason to determine the best course of action for satisfying our desires while also considering the desires of others. While some may view this as a pessimistic outlook, Hobbes believed that it was necessary to recognize the true nature of humanity to create a functioning society.
In summary, Hobbes's first law of human nature is rooted in the understanding that humans are inherently driven by self-preservation. This law encourages individuals to seek peace but also acknowledges the potential need for violent action when faced with conflicts that threaten their survival. By recognizing the importance of self-preservation, Hobbes provides a foundation for his social contract theory and the establishment of a sovereign power to maintain order and promote peaceful coexistence.
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Hobbes' view of human nature is that humans are selfish, competitive, and anti-social
Thomas Hobbes, the 17th-century English philosopher, is known for his views on human nature, the state of nature, and the social contract theory, which he explores in his book, *Leviathan*. Hobbes saw human beings as machines, with their thoughts and emotions operating according to physical laws and cause and effect.
Hobbes believed that humans are fundamentally selfish, driven by their desires for pleasure and the avoidance of pain. He observed that people are always working to fulfil their desires, and he called this continuous success "happiness". This pursuit of happiness is never-ending, as satisfaction is temporary and people always find new things to desire.
In contrast to Aristotle and Aquinas, who believed humans are naturally social, Hobbes thought that people are primarily self-interested and use society to get what they want. He compared humans to bees and ants, noting that while these insects work together in unity, humans are full of envy and hatred towards one another, which leads to conflict. This selfishness, Hobbes argues, keeps humans in a state of war in the state of nature.
Hobbes identified three principles that guide human behaviour: quarrelsome competition, diffidence, and self-glory. The first makes a man want to gain, the second is for safety, and the third is for reputation. He also believed that humans are in constant motion, driven by the desire for power over others, and that society becomes a means for individuals to satisfy their desires.
Hobbes's view of human nature as selfish and competitive has been interpreted as pessimistic. Some have objected that humans have a basic sense of morality and duty to behave fairly and reciprocate, which should prevent the greed and reputation-seeking that Hobbes describes. However, Hobbes believed that religion and political authority could shape human conduct and encourage respect for law and authority, thus mitigating the negative aspects of human nature.
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Hobbes' laws of nature are not descriptions of how humans naturally act
Hobbes's first law of human nature states that every person should seek peace with others, unless others are not willing to cooperate, in which case one may use the "helps of war". This law of nature has two parts to it. The first part encourages a state of peace by instructing individuals to satisfy their desire for self-preservation.
However, Hobbes's laws of nature are not descriptions of how humans naturally act. Humans do not naturally and automatically coordinate their efforts to achieve the best outcome for all. Instead, when living together or even in close proximity, humans' natural desires and aversions lead them into conflict. Hobbes argues that humans are not like bees or ants, which can live together sociably and naturally.
In a state of nature, even if humans want to try to work together with others, come together in social groups, and cooperate rather than engage in conflict and war, it does not make rational sense to do so. Humans can try to work together in groups by creating rules for everyone to follow, but it only makes sense to follow these rules if there is a reasonable assurance that others will do the same. This would be a state of "peace", which, for Hobbes, is the best outcome.
The worst outcome, according to Hobbes, is being "prey"—when one follows the rules, but most others do not. In a state of nature, there is no common authority to resolve disputes, and each person is free to decide what they need, what they are owed, and what is respectful, right, pious, and prudent. They are also free to act on these judgments and enforce their views. In such a situation, the state of nature would become a "state of war", or even a war of "all against all".
Hobbes's laws of nature, therefore, are not descriptions of how humans naturally act. They are precepts determined by reason, or rational precepts that lead individuals towards a state of peace. Humans need reason to tell them a set of rules to follow to achieve peace because, if left on their own, they will naturally end up in a state of war.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Hobbes's first law of human nature is that every person should seek peace with others, unless others are not willing to cooperate, in which case one may use the "helps of war".
The state of nature is a state of continuous and comprehensive war, where the only laws that exist are principles based on self-preservation.
Hobbes views human nature as a restless striving for power that has no end and therefore no happiness or perfection.
Hobbes believes that reason allows humans to discover the "laws of nature", which are rules that enable humans to establish peace and escape the state of nature.
