Topic > Thomas Hobbes Research Paper - 782

Thomas Hobbes is a 17th-century English philosopher who argued in Leviathan that humanity's natural condition would result in a war of all against all if humans were not subject to state power . He concludes by saying that if there were no government, civilization, laws and common power to prevent human nature; humans would lead to mutual destruction. In this article I will show how Thomas Hobbes was right that if we were not subject to state power; we would have fallen into a war of all against all. I will demonstrate this using different scenarios in the anarchist community. Self-preservation is the most basic desire in human beings. Without laws or governance no one would be able to say how or how not to try to stay alive. Hobbes argues that all human beings are naturally equal in body and mind; therefore, everyone is naturally willing to fight each other if necessary. Every person has the natural right to do whatever he deems necessary to preserve his life. For example: if survival means you have to shoot your friends who have fallen ill with a contagious plague, then this is the necessary means of your self-preservation. Shooting your friends to protect your life is not considered an unjust act. According to Hobbes there is no room for morality because in the state of nature there is no room for the unjust. Everything is somehow justifiable. Hobbes calls it the natural right of liberty. Furthermore, anything can be seen as a necessity to preserve one's life. For example: if one does not eat, he will not have enough sustenance and could lead to death from starvation. Eating is seen as a necessity to be taken to preserve... middle of paper... everything you want. Having power would help enough to achieve one's desires. Having enough power means having more power than other people so that they don't want to harm you in any way. In conclusion, Hobbes argues in Leviathan that people are equal mentally and physically. Therefore, people will naturally fight for what they want and to protect what is theirs. Hobbes argues that morality does not apply in a society where there are no laws or government. People do whatever is necessary for self-preservation and whatever needs to be done is not seen as unfair. Furthermore, everyone wants greater power and that means being in control and therefore being seen as a less weak opponent to attack or invade their lands. I agree with Thomas Hobbes who argued that if people were not subject to laws or government; everyone would end up fighting each other.