Hobbes' State of Nature and the Origin of Society

Hobbes's State of Nature and the Origin of Society

1. The State of Nature

Modern thinkers like Hobbes and Rousseau agree on the possibility of a state of nature without society, diverging from classical and medieval thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle, who believed humans were inherently social. Aristotle famously stated, "For living without society, you need to be a God or a Beast." Even today, some agree with this classical perspective. Hobbes, however, envisioned a state of nature defined by specific human characteristics:

• Selfishness and Instrumental Reason: Reason serves as a tool for selfish pursuits, driven by passions and desires.
• Equality: Despite minor differences in strength or ability, everyone is fundamentally equal because even the strongest can be overcome. No one is inherently subservient to another.
• Relentless Desire: Individuals constantly strive for what they want, never truly giving up or accepting resignation. This leads to competition, especially for scarce resources.
• Constant Threat: The combination of equality and relentless desire creates a perpetual state of insecurity, leading to preemptive action and distrust.

Hobbes identifies three primary causes of quarrel: competition, diffidence (distrust), and glory (reputation). These factors culminate in a state of war "of all against all," a constant nightmare of fear and stress. Hobbes compares this to stormy weather—not because it's currently raining, but because there's a constant threat of rain.

2. The Origin of Society

Driven by the misery of the state of nature, humans naturally seek peace. This is the first law of nature. However, simply desiring peace is insufficient because people can lie and break agreements. Therefore, a second element is necessary: the creation of an absolute sovereign power.

Individuals must surrender their individual right to use force and grant it to a sovereign power. This power, regardless of its form, must be absolute to enforce the social contract and punish those who break it. This creates a situation where it is in everyone's self-interest to abide by the covenant, ensuring peace and security.

Thus, the origin of society lies in the dual principles of the desire for peace and the establishment of an absolute sovereign to enforce the social contract.