Hobbes 1 - State of Nature and Laws of Nature

Reading:

Hobbes, Leviathan: Introduction (pp81-2) chapters 1-3, 13-14, 15.

Focus Question:

(This may be discussed in your political literacy class. If not, you should talk about it with your friends before coming to class)

Hobbes's view of human beings are sometimes characterised as being: a) empiricist b) materialist c)mechanistic.

Find out what each of these words mean when used as philosophical terms.

Find quotations which support the view that Hobbes' views have each of these features.

Harder: Compare/contrast with any 1 philosopher from last semester.

Presentation/term paper Question:

Assess Hobbes’s argument for the claim that it si part of our nature to seek peace by any means possible.

(hint: first ask yourself: where does Hobbes argue this?)

Classnotes:

You must read the text and attempt to answer the questions before the lecture. This will count as participation.
Answer the questions in note form and bring your answers to the class.
Some questions require you to interpret the text, i.e. read it closely and try to understand what the author is saying and how he is defending his claims.
Other questions require that you evaluate the text, i.e. ask yourself whether you agree with the author's thesis, whether his arguments are good ones, and give reasons for what you think. These questions are typed in italic.

1. The State of Nature (Leviathan chapter 13)

Explain, as clearly and briefly as you can what Hobbes means by the claim that the state of nature is a state of war.

(Hint: a) Notice that this question asks you what Hobbes means, and not what argument he gives. b) to answer this question, you need to explain at least two things - what Hobbes means by the term 'state of nature' and what he means by the term 'state of war')

Hobbes distinguishes 3 sorts of motivation as relevant to explaining what happens in a state of nature. What are they? Explain each in your own words

Do you agree with Hobbes that a state of nature is certain to be a state of war? Why/why not?

Think of one possible objection to Hobbes’ view. How might Hobbes reply?

2. Seeking Peace and Defending Yourself (Leviathan chapter 14)

Read the first two pages of chapter 14 carefully

What does Hobbes mean by the term 'law of nature'? Explain his definition in your own words

What does Hobbes say are the first two laws of nature?

Given what he means by ‘law of nature’, does Hobbes give us good reasons for thinking that these are ‘laws of nature’ ? Explain your answer.

Is there anything confusing about what Hobbes says here?

3. Covenants and Justice. (Leviathan chapter 15)

What does Hobbes mean by the term ‘covenant’?

Explain in your own words Hobbes' argument for the claim that it is a law of nature for people to keep their covenants. (Hint – you might want to look at the definition of ‘law of nature’ on p15)

Evaluate this argument.

Bonus questions:

Is it always unjust to break an agreement?

Does Hobbes think it is always unjust to break agreements? Does his view make sense?