Aristotle, Hobbes, and Rousseau: Social Contract Theories

Aristotle: The Political Animal

For Aristotle, humans are inherently political animals. He believed that the city arises from a natural progression, starting with the individual, then the family (necessary for reproduction), and finally, society. This allows individuals to not only live but to live well, assuming favorable economic conditions that free some individuals from material tasks, enabling them to pursue uniquely human endeavors.

While Aristotle argued that humans are political animals (meaning they participate in the state's life, not merely live in society), he acknowledged that not all individuals fully realize this potential.

Hobbes: Absolute Sovereignty

Hobbes advocated for individuals to cede their power and strength to a single person or assembly. This entity would then consolidate all individual wills into a single will through majority rule, establishing absolute authority.

Hobbes envisioned the state of nature, preceding social organization, as a "war of all against all," where life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. The state originates from a covenant among individuals, each agreeing to submit to a governor who acts for the good of all subjects, including themselves. This covenant shapes social organization. Hobbes viewed humans as fundamentally selfish beings.

Rousseau: Direct Democracy and Natural Rights

Rousseau championed democracy as a direct popular government. His system rested on the principle that all free and equal citizens should express their will to reach a collective agreement, a social contract.

Rousseau held an optimistic view of human nature, believing that the natural state is grounded in natural rights (life, liberty, etc.) that all individuals possess. The Social Contract, which inspired the Declaration of Human Rights and revolutionary philosophy, aims to protect all individuals while respecting their natural rights. He believed in the rule of law. For Rousseau, humans are inherently good, and it is society that corrupts them.

The Origin of Society: Social Contract Theories

To understand the foundations of society, social contract theories posit a hypothetical "state of nature." This represents the condition preceding the emergence of society, where humans live without social relationships and have only sporadic contact with others. The social contract marks the transition from this state to organized society.

The theories of Aristotle, Hobbes, and Rousseau address the state of nature and the social contract not as historical realities, but as thought experiments to explore the basis and legitimacy of society and political power.