The State of Nature in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

Hobbes and the Concept of Leviathan

Hobbes pinpoints that Leviathan is the work of art and is also referred to as a state or a commonwealth that is just a man artificially made. Although Leviathan may be stronger and of a stature which is more prominent than the normal intended defence and protection it is still a fake man (Hobbes).

The Function of Leviathan

Even so, its sovereignty is a counterfeit soul just as giving movement and life to the entire body with the artificial joints formed by officers of the execution and judicature, as well as judges. Meanwhile, the discipline and reward attached to the power seat allows each part and joint of the man that move to ensure that he plays out his obligation, as nerves that do likewise in the natural body. In addition, the strength are the riches and wealth of all the specific individuals with the general population’s wellbeing and safety (salus populi) its business. Still, Leviathan advocates, by whom everything needful that it should know are recommended unto, are the memory (Hobbes). Moreover, while the laws and equity are an artificial will and reason, harmony represents its wellbeing, rebellion is an ailment, and a civil war representing death. Hobbes without a doubt reveals Leviathan to be an imitation of God’s creation of man and uses humankind’s excellence and rational work nature to depict the state’s sovereignty.

The Need for Authority in a Commonwealth

However, with the difference of manners of human beings, authority is needed in a common wealth to oversee the cohabitating of mankind in unity and peace (Hobbes). After all, every individual craves for power and would want to accumulate more than only ceases when he/she dies. Sadly, the cause of this is the lack of content and lack of assurance of living well without power, which explains why kings despite having the most power assures their endeavors using the laws yet abroad prefers war. While nature ensures that men are equal in the body faculties, sometimes he may claim benefits that another may not by being wittier. As a result, if two different men want the same thing that cannot be shared between them, they become enemies causing danger because of the constant fighting when competing. With war looming, the violence and enmity between men brings uncertainty and makes living together difficult.

The Role of Authority in a Commonwealth

Consequently, having authority within the commonwealth liberates men and introduces restraints upon humankind to play a facilitative role in its preservation and making those living in it more contented. That implies that they get themselves out of the miserable war conditions due to fear of penalty and covenants made (Hobbes). Nonetheless, a commonwealth is instituted with the multitudes of men that agree to protect other men’s sovereignty rights. However, the challenge lies in the fact that humankinds are prone to war and violent and will always deny others their fundamental rights. Hobbes stipulates that absolute authority is the only way of countering the threat posed to the social order. Whether the authority rests in the parliament constituting of elected members to represent the public or a monarchial ruler is immaterial if it gains its power from a covenant or a social contract between the governed and the government.

Works Cited

Hobbes, Thomas. “Document 16-3: Civil war and social contract.”Leviathan. 1651.

—. “Leviathan.”1999. Renascence Editions.

30 August 2018. .