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Hobbes State Of Nature Essay

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Governments or forms of government have existed since ancient times. They are higher authorities, which establish what is right, and what is wrong, what is just and what is unjust, and most importantly they would make and take decisions for the citizens. A government has the power to create laws, so to dictate what is considered right or wrong, and to enforce these rules. In this way, life in the society is peaceful and just, since every citizen knows the consequences of disobeying to the common laws and rules. The government is important in order to assure citizens the respect of their rights and the safeguard of their freedom, property and person. For these reasons, I agree with Hobbes that life in the “state of nature” would be a complete disarray, since individuals would be constantly debating which rules are to be regarded as legitimate and which rules are considered …show more content…

(Hobbes 56-57). “Competition” makes men fight for two main reasons. First, men will argue with one another in order to gain more power, and secure themselves in society. Second, men will fight over resources, since Hobbes stated that in the state of nature resources are scarce, and so the man who has more resources will also be the most powerful. (Hobbes 56). “Distrust” makes men fight for safety. (Hobbes 57). In the “state of nature” men are by nature frightened and in danger, since men all have the same capacities, which means that even the strongest and powerful have to be ready to fight and defend themselves. Anyone can harm somebody else and gain possess of another person’s property or gains. Hobbes believes that this will engender conflict, since in order to avoid being attacked, they will attack first. (Newey 52). Lastly, men will compete for “Glory”. Men are interested in their reputation, so men will compete to defend it. (Hobbes

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