Thomas Hobbes

Question 1

Background/book

Answer 1

• Seen as a conservative philosopher
• Leviathan (1651)

Question 2

HN

Answer 2

• Cynical: individuals are selfish, driven by a restless and ruthless desire for supremacy and security
• HN was shaped by a ruthless desire for goods, distrust for others and a fear of death
• Before state there was no cooperation or voluntary arrangements between people

Question 3

The state

Answer 3

• The state arises ‘contractually’ from individuals who seek order and security
• To serve its purpose the state must be autocratic
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Question 4

Society

Answer 4

• There can be no ‘society’ until the creation of a state brings order and authoirty to human affairs
• Life until then is ‘nasty, brutish and short’
• Believed that mankind would eventually realise that the state of nature was harmful to self interest and would agree to a contract
• Under this contract, people would render to a sovreign the right to make laws by which all were restrained and thus allow the sort of order

Question 5

Economy

Answer 5

Constructive and enduring economic activity is impossible without a state guaranteeing order and security