Pros And Cons Of Hobbes

4. Hobbes viewed human nature as being inherently troubled. He believed that our nature made man continually try to become better than everyone else so that there would be “no other power great enough to endanger him” (pg. 208). Hobbes argued that our human nature keeps us at continual war with one another, particularly when there isn’t a common authority to keep us all in check. Hobbes also believed that two people would become enemies when they desired the same thing, they will aim to destroy the other (pg. 207) in an effort to attain glory.

6. The three sources of human conflict are competition, diffidence, and glory (pg. 208). Hobbes argues that humans compete with one another solely for gain through violence. Those who seek competition
Hobbes reasoned that war is natural because when we are not adhering to a common power, our instinct is to quarrel with one another (pg. 208). This goes back to our three sources of conflict being competition, diffidence, and glory; without governance, we are susceptible to our innate desires because we have no confirmation that there will be time of peace. He also illustrates that war is natural through his example of the man who always locks his doors and belongings, arguing that it is our natural state to suppose there is war (pg. 209). Hobbes believes war is natural because we are always acting in our own self-interest, unconcerned and independent of everyone
Hobbes argues that there are ten powers of the sovereign. The first power of the sovereign is that of complete loyalty to only him. Those who are subject to a monarchy cannot cast off that monarchy. This is similar to second power of the sovereign – that those under his rule cannot be released of their obligation. Hobbes argues, “none of his subjects…can be freed from his subjection” (pg. 223). Because those under the sovereign’s rule have made a covenant, they are bound to him. The third power of the sovereign is that he has rule even over the dissenters. Because the majority declared him sovereign, dissenters now must adhere to same covenant the majority made or they will be “left in the condition of war” (pg. 224). The fourth power is that the sovereign cannot be accused of being unjust. The person who gave sovereignty became the author of the sovereign, thereby only being able to blame himself for anything that comes out of it. The sovereign also cannot be put to death. Again, this follows the premise that those who gave sovereignty are the authors so the sovereign cannot actually be blamed for anything. The sixth power of the sovereign is that he chooses what ideas, doctrines, etc., are acceptable. It is the sovereign’s job to keep peace, so he is granted the power to refuse anything that will disturb this peace. The sovereign has the power of making the rules, as well as having power in any controversial situations within his commonwealth. The sovereign’s 9th power