Thomas Hobbes Research Paper

Throughout his life Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was known as a ‘man of letters’, his first published work was on the translation of Thucydides (1629). He spent much of his time on mathematical problems, striving to square the circle, getting into controversy with John Wallis and other major mathematicians of his day. He was associated with Francis Bacon even translating some of his work. Influenced by the thought of Galileo, he also read Descartes ‘Mediations’ and wrote ‘objections which Descartes published with his answers as an appendix to his work. All his diverse literary and intellectual accomplishments are outshined by his contribution to the history of philosophy which is the system of social and political philosophy. His major work ‘The

This is a condition where humans have the free will to do whatever they like this includes trying to kill one another. This is a known as a condition of civil war where violence, death and fear occur. Hobbes is very fearful of this as everyone is living in a state of universal insecurity and life is full of horror. However Hobbes argues that humans would agree that a state of nature is something we should avoid at any cost possible apart from your self-preservation. If anyone wants to avoid a state of nature it is because of their fear of suffering a violent

These laws sustain self-preservation and destructive acts to other humans. It is not the same as a law which has to be written and made public for it to be known and accepted but a ‘law of nature’ which is inherently known because it has been deduced out of mental skills such as reason. Due to the fear of the ‘state of nature’ Hobbes concludes that fear reigns supreme and that the natural man in order to preserve his life must seek peace. Hence he concludes that the first law of nature is to seek peace and follow it "That every man, ought to endeavour Peace, as farre as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps, and advantages of Warre." This first essential ‘Law of Nature’ essentially means, to seek Peace, and follow it. The Second, is Natural law demands that we seek peace because to seek peace is to fulfill our natural right to defend ourselves. The second law of nature is when a man thinks that peace is required, he should be willing to lay down his right to everything, and should be contented with as much liberty against other men as he would allow other men against himself a man be willing, when others are so too, as farre-forth, as for Peace, and defence of himselfe he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would