Thomas Hobbes - Philosophy, Ethics and Government
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
English philosopher (pictured right) whose selfish view of people has had a big influence on ethics and
politics.
His most famous book
is...
Leviathan (1651).
What did he say about ethics and government?
1. Leviathan
This godlike giant, based on the Old Testament character in the Bible, represents the absolute
ruler (or dictator) like a king.
Dictatorship is necessary to:
- control people who are nasty and unruly (see points 2 and 3).
2. Survival of the fittest
We are all:
- naturally selfish and envious.
- competing to survive and get what we want.
- amoral (without any sense of right or wrong).
This dog eat dog world is “the state of nature” in which life is:
“Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.
So we need:
- a social contract (see point 3)
- principles (“laws of nature”) to protect ourselves (e.g. to seek peace whenever
possible and treat others as you would like them to treat you).
3. The social contract
Under this social contract, the people give a ruler (or Leviathan, see point 1) the power to keep the
peace by force.
Actions without force are useless.
But the social contract doesn’t take away people’s right to self-defence.
Which two current philosophical ideas relate to Hobbes’ selfish view of
man?
1. The prisoners’ dilemma
Imagine you and your partner (Bill) have committed a crime together, and you both agree to keep quiet.
You are questioned in separate police cells -
- you will get your sentence reduced (if you confess and Bill keeps quiet).
- Bill will get less time in prison (if he confesses and you keep quiet).
The prisoners’ dilemma is that it’s better for you and Bill to:
- break your promise of silence.
So, because of such benefits from selfishness, Hobbes supported the enforcing of people’s promises by
force through the social contract (see point 3 above).
2. The problem of the commons
This says that people will exploit something that is free (like air or common land), until it is no good
for anyone.
(for example, polluting the air and causing climate
change).
Key quotes on
society
The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.
The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.
Key quote on business
ethics
Profit is the measure of right.
Key quote on law and
justice
Liberties...depend on the silence of the law.
It is not wisdom but authority that makes a law.
Key quote on peace of
mind
There is no such thing as perpetual peace of mind...because life itself..can never be without desire, not
without fear.
Key quote on
learning and leisure
Leisure is the mother of philosophy.
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