Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes describes the state of nature as a society without government controls. Men are free to do what they chose without laws regulating their actions and without repercussions from these actions. In this type of society men will fear one another and fight to gain power and control. There will be no compassion for one another instead there will be jealousies and controversies.

Hobbes illustrates a society that pivots "good" versus "evil" and "love" versus "hate". This society consists of endeavors of appetite, aversion, and contempt. Each endeavor has the potential to arise conflict between fellow men. Hobbes states that "the constitution of a man's body is in continual mutation, it is impossible that all the same things should always cause in him the same appetites, and aversions: much less can call men consent, in the desire of almost any one and the same object". (pg. 91) Hobbes believes that in a state of nature that universal war will be a natural condition of human beings. He considers three principle causes of conflict, "first, competition; secondly diffidence; thirdly, glory". (pg. 93) Hobbes thinks that men will use violence to gain control over other people's property and other goods. This behavior will cause excessive wars and a constant power struggle between men.

Hobbes go on to say that "all society therefore is either for gain, or for glory; that is, not so much for love of our fellows, as for the love of ourselves". (pg. 94) Essentially Hobbes is saying that people are naturally selfish and only out for themselves. Greed will supersede all hopes of humanity in a state of nature. He believes that there is no consideration for one another; instead we are pitted against each other for a survival of the fittest battle.

Hobbes discusses that morality cannot exist in a society of this kind. He believes that men aren't naturally "good". They don't care about right from wrong, only what will benefit them. There is no question of morality in this society. Hobbes takes a very political approach to the existence of morality. He is essentially saying that a commonwealth is necessary to establish morality within a society. He doesn't believe that mankind is able to live morally and ethical without sovereign authority.

Hobbes moves on to introduce the law of nature, which is "a precept or general rule, found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that, which is destructive of his life, or taketh away the means of persevering the same, and to omit that, by which he thinketh it may be best preserved". (pg 96) With the law of nature Hobbes now has a society that will establish rules giving the society structure and in turn instill morals in mankind. It's interesting that he believes that a government will invoke morals.