What is Hobbes's view on violence and civilization?

  • Thread starter Thread starter X-43D
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Darwinism
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work "Leviathan," asserts that human life in a state of nature is characterized by a "war of all against all," leading to a life that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Hobbes posits that violence is an inherent aspect of human existence and civilization serves as a mechanism to repress this violence. The discussion critiques Hobbes's view by suggesting that while violence is prevalent, it does not necessarily lead to perpetual conflict, as alliances and peaceful interactions can occur among individuals.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hobbesian philosophy
  • Familiarity with the concept of the state of nature
  • Knowledge of social contract theory
  • Awareness of historical and contemporary examples of violence and civilization
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of Hobbes's social contract theory in modern governance
  • Research alternative philosophical views on violence, such as those by Rousseau or Locke
  • Examine case studies of societies that have successfully minimized violence
  • Investigate the role of alliances and cooperation in conflict resolution
USEFUL FOR

Philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, and anyone interested in the dynamics of violence and civilization in human society.

X-43D
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
Man's life in a state of nature, said Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan, is a "war of all against all:"

And in that state of nature, no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

In the Hobbesian view, there can ultimately be no cure for violence; it is in our wiring; in fact, it is in the bones of the universe in which we live. You can counteract or punish it--you can shoot the shooters--but it will always be with you. The state or civilization, according to Hobbes, is the way we organize ourselves to repress violence.

http://www.spectacle.org/1196/hobbes.html
http://www.friesian.com/fallen.htm
http://www.spunk.org/texts/writers/meltzer/sp001500.html
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
From the specatacle.org article:

If we live in a violent world today, it is because life is out of balance, because our "animal pity" has not learned to cross the same distance that our missiles can.

That might hold true from the American technological perspective, but it doesn't explain suicide bombers. And "animal pity" is an assumption that I don't think holds up. It doens't account for male grizzly bears killing young grizzlies just so they can get laid sooner. Even cute little female ground squirrels have been known to kill the youngsters of other females, presumably to give their own offspring a better chance. Or baby birds that push weaker siblings out of the nest, or...

I can't agree completely with Hobbes, either. Competition of all against all, maybe, but that doesn't have to lead to war. Alliances can be formed by trading, intermarrying, etc. Generally, people spend the vast majority of their time in peace, punctuated only briefly, though memorably, by war.
 

Similar threads

Philip Johnson's Darwin on Trial
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Why Does Viewing Animal Cruelty Invoke Deep Emotional Responses?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
6K