Keith Mack
The phrase where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice is an excerpt from Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, published in 1651. This part of the treatise explores the natural state of man and whether it is within a political community pursuing the greatest good, or an anarchic situation. Hobbes argues that in the absence of a common power, there is no law, and therefore no injustice. He further suggests that force and fraud are the two cardinal virtues in war. This idea of a war of every man against every man leads to the conclusion that nothing can be unjust, as there are no notions of right and wrong.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural state of man | Within a political community or an anarchic situation |
| Justice | Relative quality |
| Force and fraud | Cardinal virtues in war |
| Justice and injustice | Not faculties of the body or mind |
| Natural right | Liberty to use one's power for self-preservation |
| Law of nature | Precept or rule forbidding actions destructive to life |
| Final cause of men | Preservation and a contented life |
| Civil laws | Rules of property and actions of subjects |
| Civil government | Not needed if men agree to observe justice and laws of nature |
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What You'll Learn
The natural state of man is within a political community
In Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, published in 1651 during the English Civil War, he explores the notion that the natural state of man is within a political community. Hobbes argues that without a common power, there is no law, and without law, no injustice. This idea is based on the concept of the "Right of Nature", which gives individuals the liberty to use their power for self-preservation. However, this natural liberty can lead to a war of every man against every man, where notions of justice and injustice become irrelevant.
Hobbes suggests that the natural passions of men, without a visible power to keep them in check, lead to a miserable condition of war. This power, according to Hobbes, is necessary to enforce covenants and the laws of nature, such as justice, equity, and mercy. He further argues that in the absence of a common power, there is no concept of propriety or dominion, resulting in a state where "every man's that he can get, and for so long as he can keep it". This perspective highlights the importance of a political community, or commonwealth, in establishing laws and maintaining order.
The concept of the social contract, as discussed by Hobbes, is central to understanding the role of the political community. The social contract suggests that individuals willingly give up certain liberties to a sovereign power in exchange for peace and protection. This idea is reflected in Hobbes' assertion that men introduce restraints upon themselves to escape the miserable condition of war. By establishing a commonwealth, individuals gain security and a more contented life.
Furthermore, Hobbes addresses the role of the sovereign in prescribing rules and establishing property rights, which are essential for maintaining peace within the community. He argues that before the establishment of sovereign power, all men had a right to all things, leading to a state of war. The introduction of property rights and civil laws helps to mitigate conflict and ensure peace within the political community.
In conclusion, Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan presents a compelling argument for the natural state of man being within a political community. By exploring the consequences of a lack of common power, Hobbes highlights the importance of laws, covenants, and a sovereign power in maintaining order and ensuring justice. The establishment of a political community, through the social contract, provides individuals with security and a more contented life, thus reinforcing the idea that the natural state of man is inherently political.
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Without common power, there is no injustice
The notion that "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice" is attributed to Thomas Hobbes, in his 1651 work "Leviathan". This statement is part of Hobbes' analysis of whether the natural state of man is within a political community pursuing the greatest good, or in an anarchic situation.
Hobbes argues that in the absence of a common power, there is no law, and therefore no injustice. This is because the concepts of justice and injustice are not inherent faculties of the body or mind. Instead, they are qualities that relate to people in society, not in solitude. In a state of nature, where there is no common power, each person has the right to everything, and there is no distinction between "mine and thine". This leads to a constant state of war, where force and fraud become the two cardinal virtues.
The idea of a "common power" is essential to Hobbes' argument. He suggests that without a central authority to enforce laws and maintain order, there can be no true justice. This power can take the form of a civil government or a commonwealth, which has the ability to compel people to uphold their covenants through the threat of punishment. Without this coercive force, the natural passions of humans, such as partiality, pride, and revenge, would prevail, leading to a breakdown of social order.
However, Hobbes also acknowledges that the establishment of a common power or sovereignty comes with certain rights and responsibilities. This power has the authority to prescribe rules regarding property rights and the actions of its subjects, which are then enforced as civil laws. The sovereignty also holds the right to judge and decide controversies that may arise concerning these laws.
In conclusion, Hobbes' argument that "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice" highlights the importance of a centralized authority in maintaining social order and justice. In the absence of such power, Hobbes believes that society would descend into a state of war, where the notions of right and wrong become irrelevant.
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Force and fraud are virtues in war
In Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, published in 1651 during the English Civil War, he explores the notion of the natural state of man. In it, Hobbes examines the idea that without a common power, there is no law, and without law, there is no injustice. This is because concepts like justice and injustice are not inherent to the individual but are qualities that relate to men in society.
In this state of nature, where there is no common power, Hobbes argues that force and fraud are the two cardinal virtues in war. This is because in a state of war, every man is against every man, and there is nothing that cannot be used to help preserve one's life against enemies. Thus, force and fraud become the primary tools for achieving one's goals and ensuring self-preservation.
Hobbes' argument suggests that without a central authority to enforce laws and maintain order, individuals are left to their own devices, resulting in a constant state of war. In such a state, the use of force becomes a virtue as it allows one to exert power, protect oneself, and acquire resources necessary for survival. Fraud, or deception, becomes a virtue as well, as it can be used to manipulate and outmaneuver others, giving an advantage in a competitive and hostile environment.
However, it is important to note that Hobbes' perspective on the state of nature and the virtues of force and fraud in war is a theoretical construct. While it provides insight into the importance of social contracts and governance, it does not necessarily reflect the entirety of human nature or condone unethical behaviour.
Hobbes' ideas on the state of nature and the role of force and fraud in war have been influential in political philosophy, sparking debates about the role of government, the nature of human interactions, and the importance of social contracts in maintaining peace and justice.
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Justice is a relative quality
In Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, published in 1651, the notion of "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice" is explored. This idea suggests that without a shared authority, there can be no established laws or concepts of justice and injustice.
Hobbes argues that the natural state of mankind is one of war, where individuals are in a constant state of conflict with one another. In this anarchic situation, there is no notion of right and wrong, as these concepts are relative to the societal norms and laws established by a common power. Without this power, there is no enforcement or consequence for breaking societal rules, and thus, no justice.
The concept of justice, according to Hobbes, is inherently tied to the existence of a social contract and a civil power. Justice is a relative quality that changes based on the societal norms and laws of a particular group. Without a common power, there is no standard against which to measure justice. Each individual would have the right to everything, and the notions of "mine and thine" would not exist.
However, Hobbes also acknowledges that individuals have an innate desire for justice, even in the absence of a common power. This desire for justice is manifested in our daily interactions with others and is linked to our instinct to care for and respect those around us. This suggests that while justice may be relative, it is also a fundamental aspect of human nature that exists independently of a shared authority.
The existence of a common power, such as a government or civil authority, is necessary for the enforcement of laws and the maintenance of order. This power establishes the rules and norms that define what is considered just or unjust within a particular society. It creates the concept of property rights and provides a framework for resolving disputes.
In summary, the phrase "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice" highlights the relative nature of justice. The existence of a common power is essential for establishing societal norms and enforcing laws, thereby giving meaning to the concepts of justice and injustice. While individuals may have an inherent sense of justice, it is the presence of a shared authority that gives rise to the concrete manifestation of these concepts in our daily lives.
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Without common power, there is no security
In Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan, published in 1651 during the English Civil War, he explores the notion that "where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice". This statement is an analysis of whether the natural state of man is within a political community pursuing the greatest good, or in an anarchic situation.
Hobbes argues that without a common power, there is no law, and therefore no injustice. This is because the concepts of justice and injustice are not inherent in individuals but are qualities that relate to people in society, not in solitude. In a state of nature, where there is no common power, individuals have the liberty to use their power for their own preservation, which can lead to a war of all against all.
The absence of common power means there is no authority to enforce covenants or agreements, and thus no security for individuals. Without a coercive power to compel people to keep their covenants, there can be no trust or stability. This lack of security can lead to a constant state of war, where individuals are in a brutish and miserable condition, constantly fearing for their preservation.
Hobbes suggests that the introduction of a common power, such as a Commonwealth or civil government, is necessary to establish laws and maintain peace. This power can keep individuals in awe and enforce covenants through the fear of punishment. By establishing a sovereign power, society can move from a state of nature, where there is no security, to a more contented life where individuals can be secure in their preservation.
In summary, Hobbes argues that without common power, there is no law or security. The establishment of a common power is essential to enforce agreements, maintain peace, and provide individuals with the stability and protection they desire.
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