Question

In Leviathan, what does Thomas Hobbes say about "the life of man" in a state of nature?

A It has "a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one"
B) In it, "all men are born equal"
It is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short"
It is filled with "generosity, mercy, and humanity"

Answer 1

Thomas Hobbes describes the life of man in a state of nature as solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. He emphasizes the necessity of a sovereign power to establish law and order and mitigate the inherent insecurity and violence of the state of nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes describes the life of man in a state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' According to Hobbes, in the absence of a governing authority, people are driven by their own self-interests and there is a constant fear of violence and insecurity.

Hobbes argues that in order to escape this state of nature, individuals enter into a social contract and establish a sovereign power to maintain law and order. This sovereign power ensures the protection of life and property, allowing for a more peaceful and stable society.

Learn more about Thomas Hobbes' view on the life of man in a state of nature