Philosophy final paper pre-question 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Philosophy final paper pre-question 2 - Essay Example Hobbes states that a state of War is inevitable provided these are the main characteristic features of the state of nature. The equal state of vulnerability among mankind makes all of us capable of harming each other, and this leads to the increase of negative vibes and fear. Moreover, relative scarcity directs us to competition. Now competition along with the absence of moral values can lead us further to a possibility of invasion and destruction of other people. Then there is rationality which further leads to a generalized notion of fear, so we are scared of everyone as all of mankind are in same situation. In this way, everyone is dragged into the scenario of violence, and this is what Hobbes describes as a state of war with a continual likelihood of violence. Further, Hobbes tries to associate the conception of the state of nature with that of a sovereign authority. The five main qualities mentioned earlier make the state involve in no cooperation among its mankind. In Hobbes’ own words, â€Å"the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.† But as there is no law or government, the question of just or unjust does not value much here. There is no common power to enforce any kind of law, which means there are no moral laws as well. That strongly indicates that men are independent with the right to use their own power to preserve themselves. But does it mean that there is a need of a sovereign authority? The conception of a sovereign is defined in general by the quality of common or mutual agreement and understanding among a group of like-minded people. But if men have the right to use their own power, then what kind of ‘right’ will the term actually be holding? So the appropriate denotation of the term ‘right’ has to be determined. But then, the concept of ‘right’ in this context also contains the notions of ‘ought’ and