Philosophy Course: Introduction to Hobbes

Philosophy. Study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.

Thomas Hobbes is regarded as one of a handful of genuinely great political philosophers – his masterwork Leviathan (1651) changed history. The idea of a ‘social contract’ as the basis of political power is his most powerful contribution, eventually becoming the theoretical foundation of most contemporary societies. Hobbes is however a controversial philosopher in many ways. His understanding of humans as self-interested, insatiable, desiring machines, without any ‘natural’ sense of morality, remains unacceptable to many. Others consider Hobbes as the arch realist, who is not blinded by religion or idealism, enabling him to understand humans as they are rather than as we would like them to be.

Hobbes proposes that the primary role of the state is to provide its citizens with security. Liberal theorists believe that too much freedom is forfeited to the state in doing so. This is referred to as the ‘Hobbesian threat’ in modern political theory; whereby a government will attempt to increase its power by claiming it needs more powers to protect its citizens, often reducing their rights in the process. We will consider both sides of this debate. Leviathan is a complex work with many subtleties, often missed by those who use Hobbes as a mere foil to their ‘liberal’ politics.

One of the interesting new uses of Hobbes’ theory relates to international law. Many of our global issues require agreement between nations under a ‘social contract’, and this problem meets the issue which Hobbes raises, that is, how do the relevant parties secure such contracts?

Aims

This course aims to provide you with an overview of the origins and complexities of the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• discuss the origins of the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes and their complexities
• recognise the important role Hobbes’ theory played in the development of political history
• discuss the complex structure of Hobbes’ theory of human nature
• discuss Hobbes’s work Leviathan and how it applies to in contemporary politics.

Content

Biography

Hobbes liked to say that his mother gave birth to him prematurely because she took fright at the approach of the Spanish Armada (1588). True or not, it seems a portend of the violent, Post-Reformation world into which Hobbes was born, and to which his philosophy was proposing a political solution.

Hobbes the scientist

Hobbes was also an exceptionally fine scientist, evident in his systematic approach in writing Leviathan. We will consider his scientific theories and his discussions with many great scientists of his time.

Concepts

We will begin with a preliminary discussion of his concepts: The state of nature; the social contract; Leviathan as an ‘artificial construct’.

The writing of Leviathan

We will ask: what is the political problem that Hobbes is attempting to solve in his work, and do we still have this problem to solve today?

Leviathan and the issue of security vs freedom

Hobbes is often accused of trading off too much freedom in the service of security. This is referred to as the ‘Hobbesian Threat’ in modern political theory, meaning a government will attempt to increase its power by claiming it needs more powers to protect its citizens, often reducing their rights in the process.

Leviathan at the practical level

Hobbes gives many insightful suggestions on how to organise society at a practical level. His main aim is to foster trust, cooperation and economic prosperity.

Morality

Given that Hobbes does not rely on conventional moral/religious structures to ground his theory, the question arises as to his position on the existence of any moral foundationalism. We will examine this issue.

Language

For Hobbes, the transition from the state of nature to a political society relies on the development of language. Language is the faculty which allows humans to organise humanity into a community; it produces the public realm.

Contemporary approaches

We will discuss the defenders and critics of Hobbes.

Hobbes and contemporary international law

Many of our global issues require agreement between nations under a ‘social contract’, and this problem meets the issue which Hobbes discusses, that is, how do the relevant parties secure such contracts?

Intended audience

Anyone with a general interest in philosophy and the course themes.

Delivery style

Lecture/seminar

Materials

Course notes are distributed electronically.