Saturday, September 15, 2012
Leviathan - Chapters 13-16
First, I must start by saying that this is by far the best reading I have done this semester, and no, I'm not just saying that. I find it fascinating how Hobbes describes a person's "worth" by the amount of power that one possesses. Which according to him seems to be at the center of human affairs. But, when other people fear the power of another, they won't seek as much power themselves. It is this "fear" which sort of plays as a counterbalance to power that drives people together to form a social contract where they will sacrifice some rights for simply, protection. Basically he is saying that people try to rid themselves of fear. While he gives 19 laws of nature, I feel that the first 3 are of utmost importance when he says that man should seek peace, all men have a natural right to all things, and, that making contracts is necessary to have peace, but also that it is important to follow those contracts. All of this playing on power and fear. A great read and something that I am going to look into more thoroughly. (Great for people heading into leadership positions I do believe)
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Actually when we are discussing Thomas Hobbes and his writing in Leviathan, he does make the case that fear of others' power acts as a counterbalance to the appetite for power and prevents people from constantly trying to obtain power for themselves. True, this doesn't apply to everyone but his statement I believe was more broad. And in fact he states that fear of death and bodily harm is what drives people to seek peace.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you, this was the most interesting reading assigned yet. Chapter 13 was the most interesting. I can notice the competition, distrust, and glory in people I interact with today. The Leviathan was written years ago and people are still the same in those aspects.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found such meaning in this passage!
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