What was Thomas Hobbes’s view of human nature and what conclusion did he draw from it about the best form of government?
According Hobbes, the nature of human being is to quarrel for three different reasons: difference, competition, and glory. Hobbes’s view on human nature are in line with his argument that all humans are fundamentally the same and therefore, the idea that a king has divine power to govern other people is not realistic. In addition to his theory of human nature, Hobbes argue that due to human nature, people require some form of government in order to maintain order in a functional state otherwise, “society would collapse and the anarchy of the state of nature will”(23) prevail. He presents the argument that before government, the entire world was in a state of “war against all” (23) due to human nature. This makes the responsibility of the government to provide security to every individual and institute a successful commerce.
According to Hobbes, the political legacy of his notion on the state it to protect citizens by creating security, order, commerce, and other services that are necessary for successful running of the state. He argues that in the absence of absolute power over people, individuals are left on their own for strength, survival, reasons, among other things. As a result, Hobbes affirms that, as evidenced through history, when an individual is left to rely on his own reasons, anarchy will definitely prevail, compromising any form of success and stability in the world. This is partly due to the fact that individuals have different points of view, with the potential for these points to clash thereby creating destruction or war. In addition, Hobbes affirms that if people are dutiful to their governor, and trust in its ability to govern, then peace and security would prevail enabling the state to be successful and a functional one.
Work Cited:
Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan, parts one and two. Arlington, Tex.: Liberal Arts Press, 1958.
