Question

Yes or no, and why? Do you think Hobbes' philosophy is true that the first people on Earth lived in anarchy and that this is the order and state of nature?

Explain whether you believe Hobbes was right or wrong. Give examples to defend your opinion. This document should be no shorter than one page.

Answer 1

Thomas Hobbes believed that humans lived in a state of nature characterized by anarchy and constant danger, which could only be escaped through a social contract establishing a sovereign power. While Hobbes' view emphasizes the necessity of absolute government, it is contested by thinkers like John Locke and is not fully supported by historical and anthropological evidence. Modern democratic principles also challenge the idea of concentrated power as suggested by Hobbes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether Thomas Hobbes' philosophy that the first people on Earth lived in anarchy as their natural state is accurate or not is a matter of interpretation. Hobbes wrote in Leviathan that the natural state of human beings was one of constant fear and danger, resulting in a life that was 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' This state of nature was characterized by a war of all against all, where no industry could flourish due to the instability and constant threat to survival. Such a view contrasts with the philosophy of John Locke, who believed that people in their natural state were free and equal, capable of rationality and bound by moral obligations even outside the presence of a governing authority.

Hobbes posited that the best way to escape this dreadful natural state was through a social contract in which people collectively agreed to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of a Leviathan, a powerful sovereign, in exchange for peace and security. His view reflects a belief in the necessity of absolute government to avoid anarchy and maintain societal order. However, it's challenging to either fully confirm or deny Hobbes' perspective on the natural state as it involves theoretical conjecture about prehistoric human societies. Furthermore, anthropological and historical evidence does not conclusively support a universal state of nature as Hobbes described. There were likely a variety of governance systems among early human communities, with varying degrees of conflict and cooperation.

In a modern context, the idea that absolute power should be vested in one ruler or government entity is contentious. Democratic principles and the rule of law emphasize the distribution of power and the protection of individual rights, opposing an absolutist stance. Historically, absolute power, such as that advocated by Hobbes, has often led to tyranny and the suppression of personal freedom. On the other hand, his contribution to the idea that society requires a social contract to maintain order and that individuals give up some freedom for collective peace has been foundational in political science and philosophy.

Answer 2

Hobbes' philosophy suggests that the first people on Earth lived in anarchy, resulting in a state of constant conflict and fear. However, there are several reasons to question the accuracy of this view.

Firstly, ethnographic and historical evidence from indigenous societies challenges Hobbes' depiction of the state of nature. Many of these societies exhibit cooperative and egalitarian norms, emphasizing communal well-being rather than perpetual war.

Secondly, evolutionary biology suggests that humans possess innate capacities for empathy, cooperation, and social bonding. These traits have played a crucial role in our species' survival and development throughout history.

Thirdly, existing stateless societies and indigenous cultures provide examples that contradict Hobbes' theory. These societies demonstrate that effective cooperation and coordination can exist without a centralized authority.

Lastly, alternative philosophical perspectives, such as Rousseau's, argue that humans are fundamentally peaceful in the state of nature and that it is the emergence of societal inequalities that lead to conflict.

In conclusion, while Hobbes' philosophy offers insights into the consequences of anarchy, it fails to accurately portray the state of nature. Ethnographic evidence, evolutionary biology, and alternative perspectives provide compelling arguments against the idea that early humans universally lived in a perpetual state of war. Acknowledging the diversity of human experiences and the potential for cooperative interactions enriches our understanding of social dynamics.