Hobbes and The State of Nature | Thomas Hobbes and Leviathan

Summary

This script explores Thomas Hobbes' view on human nature, particularly his concept of the 'state of nature' where humans are equal but prone to conflict due to competition, diffidence, and the desire for glory. Hobbes argues that in the absence of societal structures, life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' The video challenges the mischaracterization of Hobbes as a proponent of evil human nature, emphasizing that his theories are grounded in practical observations of human behavior. It also humorously clarifies that the comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes' is named in his honor, not for any character similarities.

Takeaways

• 📚 Thomas Hobbes is often mischaracterized as the 'big government evil guy' but his philosophy is more nuanced.
• 🤔 Hobbes is known for his famous quote about life being 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,' which is often taken out of context.
• 📖 The transcript discusses Hobbes's 'Leviathan,' specifically a modernized edition, which is a key text in understanding his political philosophy.
• 🌳 Hobbes's concept of the 'state of nature' is a hypothetical scenario where there is no government, order, or organization, allowing for the observation of pure human nature.
• 💪 In the state of nature, Hobbes believes humans are fairly equal in many respects, with differences not significant enough to justify one person's dominance over another.
• 🧐 Hobbes's theory acknowledges the diversity of humanity but argues that in the state of nature, people are less diverse and more equal, which can be difficult to comprehend in modern society.
• 🍎 The equality in the state of nature leads to conflict, as people with equal ability and hope for the same resources become enemies.
• 🥊 Hobbes identifies three main areas of conflict in the state of nature: competition, diffidence (safety), and glory (reputation).
• 🔒 Hobbes argues that even in society with laws, people take practical steps to protect themselves, which is indicative of the underlying conflict in the state of nature.
• 👮‍♂️ The absence of a common power or law in the state of nature means there is no concept of justice or injustice, challenging our notions of morality.
• 🐾 The character 'Hobbes' from 'Calvin and Hobbes' is named as a nod to the political science department at Bill Watterson's college, not for any character similarities.

Q & A

Who is Thomas Hobbes and what is he commonly known for?

Thomas Hobbes is a renowned philosopher, often remembered as the 'big government evil guy' from high school world history classes. He is known for his political philosophy, particularly his views on the state of nature and human nature.

What is the famous quote by Thomas Hobbes that is often associated with his view on human nature?

The famous quote by Thomas Hobbes is 'the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' It is often used to summarize his belief about the natural state of humanity.

What is the 'state of nature' in the context of Hobbes' philosophy?

The 'state of nature' in Hobbes' philosophy refers to a hypothetical condition in which there is no government, order, or organization, akin to a time of cavemen, where human nature can be observed free from societal influences.

According to Hobbes, what is the fundamental equality among humans in the state of nature?

Hobbes claims that in the state of nature, humans are fairly equal in many respects, with the differences not being so considerable that one person can claim any significant advantage over another.

How does Hobbes explain the conflict arising from the equality of humans in the state of nature?

Hobbes explains that from the equality of ability arises equality of hope in attaining our ends, which leads to conflict when two or more people desire the same thing that they cannot both enjoy, making them enemies.

What are the three main areas of conflict Hobbes identifies in the state of nature?

Hobbes identifies three main areas of conflict in the state of nature: competition, diffidence, and glory. Competition arises over resources, diffidence from the need for safety, and glory for reputation.

How does Hobbes use the example of playing Minecraft to illustrate the concept of diffidence?

Hobbes uses the example of playing Minecraft, where a player might feel the need to destroy a creeper that is far away but poses a potential threat, to illustrate the constant state of anxiety and conflict due to diffidence in the state of nature.

What is Hobbes' practical defense for his theory of human nature in the state of nature?

Hobbes' practical defense is to point out the actions people take in society, such as locking doors, avoiding dangerous areas, and not posting sensitive information online, to protect themselves and their belongings from others, which would be even more necessary in a state of nature without laws and government.

Why might it be a mischaracterization to say that Hobbes thinks human nature is evil?

It might be a mischaracterization to say Hobbes thinks human nature is evil because, in the state of nature, there is no law, and thus no concepts of right and wrong, justice and injustice. Actions that may seem evil in society are simply survival instincts in the absence of law.

Why is the comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes' named after Thomas Hobbes?

The comic strip 'Calvin and Hobbes' is named after Thomas Hobbes not because of any character similarities but as a tribute to the political science department at Bill Watterson's college.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Thomas Hobbes' View on Human Nature

This paragraph explores the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, often misunderstood as advocating for big government or viewing human nature as inherently evil. The script delves into Hobbes' work 'Leviathan', focusing on Chapter 13 where he discusses the state of nature—a hypothetical scenario without government or societal order. Hobbes argues that in this state, humans are equal in many respects and that this equality leads to conflict, as everyone has an equal hope of achieving their ends. The paragraph also addresses the three main areas of conflict identified by Hobbes: competition, diffidence, and glory. It challenges the common misinterpretation of Hobbes' famous quote about life being 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short' by providing context and a deeper understanding of his philosophy.

05:00

🤔 The Practical Implications of Hobbes' Theory

The second paragraph continues the discussion on Hobbes' philosophy, emphasizing the practical implications of his views on human nature. It suggests that while Hobbes may not consider actions in the state of nature as inherently evil or just due to the absence of law, from a modern perspective, behaviors such as killing out of fear could be seen as evil. The script also touches on Hobbes' proposed solution to the state of nature, although it does not elaborate on the political aspects. The paragraph concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding Hobbes' argument, as it can influence one's perception of others, and invites viewers to share their thoughts on the matter.

Keywords

💡Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes is a renowned 17th-century English philosopher known for his political philosophy, particularly his work on the social contract theory. In the video, he is discussed in the context of his views on human nature and the state of nature, as presented in his book 'Leviathan'. His ideas are contrasted with those of John Locke, another philosopher, to illustrate different perspectives on freedom and governance.

💡State of Nature

The 'state of nature' is a hypothetical condition in political philosophy where there is no government, law, or centralized authority. It is used to discuss the natural condition of humanity before the formation of societies. In the script, it is mentioned as the context in which Hobbes believes humans are fundamentally equal and where he observes human nature without societal influences.

💡Human Nature

Human nature refers to the inherent characteristics and tendencies that define human behavior. The video discusses Hobbes' view that in the state of nature, humans are equal and prone to conflict due to competition, diffidence (fear of others), and the desire for glory. This concept is central to understanding Hobbes' political philosophy and his argument for the necessity of a social contract.

💡Competition

Competition, as discussed in the script, is one of the three main causes of conflict in the state of nature according to Hobbes. It arises when individuals desire the same resources or goals that cannot be shared, leading to rivalry and potential violence. The script uses the example of two individuals desiring the same piece of fruit to illustrate this concept.

💡Diffidence

Diffidence, in the context of the video, refers to the distrust or suspicion that individuals in the state of nature may have towards each other, leading to a desire for safety and the potential for conflict. It is one of the three main causes of conflict identified by Hobbes, highlighting the constant state of anxiety and the need for self-preservation in the absence of societal structures.

💡Glory

Glory, in Hobbes' philosophy, is the pursuit of honor or reputation, which can also lead to conflict in the state of nature. The script mentions it as one of the three main areas of conflict, where individuals may engage in aggressive actions to enhance their standing or reputation among their peers.

💡Social Contract

Although not explicitly mentioned in the transcript, the concept of the social contract is foundational to Hobbes' political philosophy. It is the idea that individuals in the state of nature voluntarily give up some of their freedoms to a governing authority in order to gain protection and live in a more orderly society. The video's discussion of Hobbes' views on human nature and the state of nature implicitly leads to the concept of the social contract as a solution to the inherent conflicts.

💡Justice and Injustice

The script touches on the concepts of justice and injustice in relation to the state of nature. According to Hobbes, in the absence of a common authority or law, there can be no such thing as injustice. This challenges conventional moral understanding by suggesting that moral concepts are socially constructed and do not exist in a pre-social state.

💡Philosophical Mischaracterization

The video discusses how Thomas Hobbes is often mischaracterized as believing human nature is inherently evil. The script clarifies that Hobbes' view is more nuanced, suggesting that in the state of nature, actions that might be considered evil in society do not have moral implications due to the lack of law and order.

💡Calvin and Hobbes

Calvin and Hobbes is a reference to the popular comic strip, which is named after Thomas Hobbes as a nod to the political science department at Bill Watterson's college. The script uses this as a humorous aside to distinguish between the philosopher and the comic strip character, emphasizing that the naming is a tribute rather than a reflection of character similarities.

Highlights

Thomas Hobbes is often mischaracterized as the 'big government evil guy', but his philosophy is more nuanced.

Hobbes is known for his famous quote about life being 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short', which is often taken out of context.

The book 'Leviathan' by Hobbes is the main focus, specifically the modernized Hackett edition, which is essential for understanding his views.

Hobbes discusses 'man in the state of nature', a concept central to political philosophy, where there is no government or societal order.

In the state of nature, Hobbes claims humans are fairly equal, with differences not significant enough to grant one person superiority over another.

Hobbes argues that diversity and individuality are less pronounced in the state of nature due to the lack of societal inventions.

Equality in the state of nature leads to conflict, as equal hope in attaining ends results in competition when resources are limited.

Hobbes identifies three main areas of conflict in the state of nature: competition, diffidence, and the pursuit of glory.

The concept of safety in the state of nature is significant, as the presence of others can create a constant state of anxiety and conflict.

Hobbes challenges skeptics by pointing out that even in society with laws, people take practical steps to protect themselves, hinting at a natural state of conflict.

Hobbes suggests that the notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, do not exist in the absence of law and common power.

The character 'Hobbes' from 'Calvin and Hobbes' is named after Thomas Hobbes as a nod to political science, not due to character similarities.

The video invites viewers to consider their own views on human nature and how they might align with or differ from Hobbes' theory.

Hobbes' philosophy can impact how one views others and society, depending on whether one agrees or disagrees with his argument on human nature.

The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding Hobbes' views for practical implications in everyday life and discussions.

A call to action for viewers to comment their thoughts, subscribe, and like the video is made, encouraging further engagement with the content.

Transcripts

even if you aren't into philosophy

you've probably heard of Thomas Hobbes

you probably learned about him in high

school world history and you may

remember him as the big government evil

guy which is obviously a bit of a

mischaracterization you were probably

more a fan of John Locke who seemed like

the freedom guy plus he didn't look as

mean now if you dig in slightly more to

learn about Thomas Hobbes you may think

that he believes that human nature is

evil and you probably came across his

famous quote the life of man solitary

poor nasty brutish and short and yeah

that's a real quote but what's the

context of that quote what does Hobbes

actually think about human nature and

most importantly why is Hobbes from

Calvin and Hobbes named after him

foreign

so obviously the book we're using by

Thomas Hobbs is leviathan specifically

this modernized Edition from Hackett I

mean Hobbes did write other stuff but

you know no one seems to care in Chapter

13 Hobbes is talking about man in this

state of nature now the state of nature

is a pretty popular destination within

philosophy especially with political

philosophers like Robert nozick

essentially this state of nature has no

government or order or any sort of

organization think caveman times it's in

the state of nature where we can best

observe what humanity is actually like

free from any influences that come as a

result of society Hobbs claims that in

this state humans are fairly equal in

many respects the difference between

people is not so considerable as that

one man can claim to himself any benefit

that another may also claim now look

whenever a discussion of human nature

arises many Skeptics will point to the

vast diversity of humanity as a way to

ignore the question and I'm even one of

those people I mean how can you have a

grander theory of all Humanity when each

of us is so individually different well

to play Devil's Advocate against myself

Hobbs is looking at diversity within the

state of nature in today's society we

have all these different human

inventions which let us express our

individuality and yep I'm sure social

critics and anti-capitalists are writing

out long paragraphs about how it's all

fake diversity and individuality in our

market economy but it at least seems

like we're more unique and different

which is what's playing with my mind

therefore I can't really judge what

Hobbs is claiming very well because I

don't know what diversity really looks

like in a state of nature and I'm pretty

sure he doesn't think The Flintstones

counts which to be fair isn't the state

of nature because they have a society

regardless take it or leave it Hobbs

thinks people are pretty equal and less

diverse in the state of nature but this

equality then leads to conflict from a

quality of ability arises equality of

Hope in attaining our ends therefore if

any two men desire the same thing that

they cannot both enjoy they become

enemies and in the way to their end and

ever to destroy or subdue one another so

you're in this state of nature as a

caveman and you see some fruit but

there's another caveman just across from

you because you're not dealing with an

army of caveman or your government but

just one seemingly equal caveman you're

gonna think you could take the other in

order to get the fruit but conflict is

not limited to our fight for resources

Hobbes is able to identify three main

areas of conflict that exists in the

state of nature first competition second

diffidence third Glory the first makes

men invade for game the second for

safety and the third for reputation now

this second cause of safety is really

big here because even if you have it all

if you notice some Outsider just

chilling a couple yards away from you

you're gonna get kind of suspicious it's

like you're playing Minecraft and you

build your house and everything but Over

Yonder is a creeper he's pretty far away

and probably won't bother you but in the

back of your mind you'll always feel

that need to kill him in order to feel

truly safe so it's almost like you're in

a constant state of anxiety and conflict

okay so that's a very general gist of

hobbs's thoughts on humans and the state

of nature and while you may have

objections he anticipates them he says I

look you may not agree with my theory

but look at the way you act in practice

you lock your doors and your car you

avoid dangerous areas of your city you

don't post your credit card information

on social media you take steps to

protect yourself and your belongings

against other humans and this is in a

society with laws and government and

police imagine what steps you'd have to

take in a world without that stuff

alright so that's Hobbs is kind of

backup defense comment below if you

disagree with this Theory and if so how

would you respond to his more practical

defense now I want to end on a point

that's both important but also not

important I know that sounds paradoxical

it's important if you want to win

internet arguments but not really

important in the practical sense

essentially it might be a

mischaracterization to say that Hobbes

thinks human nature is evil this is why

to this war of every man against every

man this also is consequent that nothing

can be unjust the Notions of right and

wrong Justice and Injustice have no

place where there is no common power

there is no law where no law no

Injustice I mean I think for Hobbes and

the rest of us in our society biased

Minds it's evil but for those humans in

that state of nature it isn't evil or

just because there's no law but I mean

practically speaking I think we can all

agree that killing some random stranger

out of fear that they'll get to you

first is pretty evil now obviously

Hobbes gives a fix or natural answer to

this state of nature but because this

isn't a political philosophy Channel

I'll leave it at that I just wanted to

explore haas's argument on human nature

because it can make a practical

difference in how you view others

depending on whether you agree or

disagree with it but comment below oh

wait wait wait I forgot Hobbs is named

after Thomas Hobbes not because of Any

character similarities but as a shout

out to the political science department

at Bill watterson's College okay now

comment below your thoughts subscribe

like the video and I wish you all a

beautiful rest of your day

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