Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Analysis

Philosopher Thomas Hobbes in his book Leviathan discusses and analyzes the natural state of man and the concerns of societal structure along with the proper implementation of a legitimate government, which is regarded as one of the earliest examples of the social contract theory. Focusing primarily on the second half reading, Hobbes begins chapter eleven by claiming there is neither an utmost aim nor a greater good and that man, left to man’s own devices, or in his natural state, seeks power after power and this continual desire for power only ceases in death (Hobbes 61). Hobbes continues by stating that when men live with no common power, that is no strong central government, they are in a constant state of war. Man’s life without the state

This can be cited as an early construction of negative liberty that is freedom from interference from external restraints in contrast to positive liberty that is the possession of power and resources to achieve one’s goal. In chapter seventeen Hobbes discusses what governmental structure is the best remedy for primitive society, which is the constant state of chaos, and this is where although an individualists Hobbes differs from other individualist philosophers like Cicero and Locke. Hobbes states that in order to prevent or rather the solution to this chaos is what he calls the Leviathan. The leviathan is that state, which is an artificial man and where one man and his judgment are an ideal rule, this is commonly thought of as a monarchy (Hobbes 106). Man gives up his right to govern himself, his own sovereignty, in order to follow the rules of this one man, who is supposedly the voice of the

Hobbes calls for a monarchy, but often when there is a rise of a powerful leadership without checks and balances, it leads to both peace and tyranny. Hobbes essentially says that man should obey all laws put in place by the government even if they are considered oppressive simply in order to preserve the peace within a nation. In western societies this sort of tyranny cannot last. Hobbes is often referred to as an individualist, but this notion is misleading. There is truth to his notion of primitive society and a real fear, even today, one could argue even more so today of tribalism, and The Founders feared tribalism and referred to it accordingly as factions in the Federalist Papers. However, The Founders sided more so with John Locke on how to go about solving this issue. Now Hobbes viewed, as an individualist, is misleading since he believes the power should belong to the state, because for Hobbes there is only state-sovereignty not self-sovereignty. Now this notion becomes increasingly dangerous because if a person is to follow it all the through since a man’s life without the state is war and chaos and the only solution to this is a strongman, in the end it is the state that makes people human and the state that gives people rights, so the state can take them away. The