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Did Hobbes demonstrate that a valid theory of government could be derived from a general theory of human nature?
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Alex Williams Did Hobbes demonstrate that a valid theory of government could be derived from a general theory of human nature? To Thomas Hobbes, the natural behavioural tendencies of mankind are no more and no less than those of the other animals of God's creation. They are neither sinful nor unjust, because if man existed in a state where he was governed only by these desires, there would be no morals to disregard or laws to break. His behaviour would be directed only by his desire to stay alive and improve his lot against that of others. It is this condition, argues Hobbes, that motivates man, as an animal capable of using "Reason", to realise that advantages of co-operation as a survival tool outweigh the disadvantages of surrendering rights and choices to an authority that directs such co-operation. Hobbes uses method to prove that the origins of man's most basic urges are...
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