Social Contract Theory In Thomas Hobbess The Leviathan

In light of political philosophy, and more specifically contract theory, there is one philosophy that is undoubtedly inferior to the rest. This happens to be Thomas Hobbes’s social contract theory as articulated in his book The Leviathan. There are many conceptual errors in Hobbes’s theory, but I will first present his theory and then highlight two major issues. The first issue being that his state of nature is irrationally portrayed and his assumptions of apolitical groups are inaccurate- as examples of successful government-free societies exist. This will then lead to the second issue which is that his requirements for his contract theory, tied to his theory as a whole, are not preferable. On these grounds, we will be able to reject†¦show more content†¦Thus, Hobbes draws the conclusion that individuals ought to form a group and enter a contract. This contract would deem the most powerful individual or group the Leviathan. Individuals would then give up right s to this Leviathan to achieve order and security among the group. The Leviathan is then given total authority; whatever the Leviathan wants is enforceable on the group. Hobbes believes this is preferable as now civilized society is possible, even though some rights may be given up. What we find first, though, is that his portrayal of the state of nature and subsequent state of war are both flawed. Hobbes attains a very negative outlook on human nature and the human condition. He claims that humans are essentially so self-interested that they could never achieve peaceful coexistence without being coerced into doing so. Furthermore, he argues that the mechanisms of civil society, such as industry and production cannot be achieved either. Not only are Hobbes’s claims a bit extreme and ridiculous, but in the case of human nature, they are provably false. First, I would assert that man does not need government or a coercive power to achieve standards of right and wrong or to the orize moral frameworks. While governments may make laws that can achieve justice and outline a basic sense of what we believe to be right and wrong, this authority is not necessary for morality. ItShow MoreRelatedPolitical Philosophy And The Natural Law856 Words   |  4 Pagestried to conceptualize what constitutes a political philosophy. Several theorists produced valid points, highlighting the epitome of both politics and citizenship. Consequently, there was one philosopher that was able to produce a much more valid theory. John Locke philosophized that the political system is rooted from the law of nature. The law of nature states that all persons are equal, inducing limitations or restrictions on human freedom and personal liberty. 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