Modern Philosophy 17th 19th Centuries Questions Medium
The concept of the social contract in the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes revolves around the idea that individuals willingly give up certain rights and freedoms in order to establish a social and political order that guarantees their safety and security. Hobbes believed that in a state of nature, without any form of government or authority, human life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
According to Hobbes, individuals enter into a social contract with each other, surrendering their natural rights to a sovereign authority in exchange for protection and the establishment of laws. This sovereign authority, whether it be a monarch or a government, is responsible for maintaining order and preventing the chaos that would ensue in a state of nature.
Hobbes argued that the social contract is not a mutual agreement between equals, but rather a unilateral contract where individuals submit to the authority of the sovereign. This submission is necessary to avoid the constant fear and conflict that would arise in the absence of a governing power.
In Hobbes' view, the social contract creates a commonwealth or a Leviathan, a metaphorical representation of the sovereign authority. The Leviathan has absolute power and is responsible for maintaining peace and security within society. The individuals, in turn, are obligated to obey the laws and commands of the Leviathan.
Overall, the concept of the social contract in Hobbes' philosophy emphasizes the necessity of a strong central authority to prevent the chaos and violence that would prevail in a state of nature. It highlights the idea that individuals willingly surrender their natural rights in exchange for protection and the establishment of a stable society.