Hobbes' View of the Natural Condition of Mankind

Hobbes' View of the Natural Condition of Mankind

Hobbes’ view of the natural Condition of mankind is a survival of the

fittest, which involves many different qualities of ‘power’ a man can

use to his advantage. Hobbes categorizes 2 basic types of power.

Natural Powers and Instrumental powers. The former being produced by

faculties of the mind, and body and the ladder are obtained through

either the use of Natural power, or through fortune, and are aspects

such as: "riches, reputation, friends, and the secret working of God,

which men call good luck". Hobbes statement of God’s ‘secret

workings’ are left unexplained and unresolved, therefore cannot be

given any credibility. Hobbes believes that men are created

relatively equal in terms of power because they have such an array at

their disposal. In this it is like the traditional game, paper,

scissors, rocks. Equal opportunity is given, but there are

possibilities of manipulating different aspects such as anticipation,

in to help gain an advantage. Hobbes seems to be accurate in this

explanation of different powers but he leaves the value of the powers

ambiguous. In spite of that, Hobbes argument brings about the opinion

that the man or men who use their array of powers to the best of their

ability are victorious. Hobbes feels that man’s natural tendency to

believe they are more ‘powerful’ than anyone who hasn’t shown

otherwise reveals the near equality they are to each other in

capability and opportunity.

Hobbes then states three basic reasons that result in men

quarrelling: Competition, Diffidence, and Glory. Competition

involves violence to attain something either righ...

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...an’t be

achieved due to external impediments than we are to defend ourselves.

Since nature allows man the right to everything, there are certain

measures to take where men can make an agreement to either renounce or

transfer their right. This could be for many reasons, one being

safety. An example would be every man giving up his right to steal.

Although they naturally have a right to steal in this condition, a

contract between the two clearly boundaries are, and if a man break

them then he is liable to punishment.

Hobbes presents compelling arguments about the natural condition of

mankind, but some of sections are left ambiguous, somewhat

compromising the theory’s value. His basic law that every man has the

right to everything in this condition is a very important recognition

based on good reasoning alone.