Thomas Hobbes Prudential Oughts :: Politics Philosophy Sociology

Whensoever a man transferreth his right, or renounceth it it is either in consideration of some right reciprocally transferred to himselfe or for some other good he hopeth for thereby. For it is a voluntary act and of the voluntary acts of both man, the object is some good to himselfe. (192) Proposed with the question of whether Thomas Hobbess pronuncia mento was written of oughts constructed upon prudential, moral or honorable foundations it is the former that prevails through his writing. Hobbes rung of man universally when describing a humans primitive state, cosmos one in a state of nature. Without the presences of a vulgar power, a sovereign, preventing man from entering their imminent condition of war, man would in conclusion live a life that was nasty, brutish, and short. (186) For in the state of nature it is every man, against every man. (185) This being true, in absence of common power to pull in and enforce laws there would be no injustice. (188) Therefore the ac cepted rules of stand to follow, principles of ethics and our interpretation of morality would not exist. The principals of Good & Evil would be subjective, left to the interpretation of each person. According to Hobbes the catalyst for the process of an rank(a) power would not be because it is right & just to keep war at bay, but because man has an intrinsic desire to live. Man render by his own self interests and capable of reason will prove an absolute power, (as every man is naturally equal), as the only style to preserve himself. For it is the global rule of reason, that every man ought to endeavour ataraxis (190) It is in mans self-interest to follow the laws of nature and to volitionally give up all of his rights in order to secure his or her safety & preserve his or hers way of life, as long as all others do the same. It is in all tenable mens self interest to agree upon these laws but, if other men will not do the same it would be to expose himself to eatrather th an to dispose himself to peace. (190) This would directly contradict mans general rule of reason.This is the primary prudential ought for which his writing is justified. Hobbess concept of what is ethical & moral are solely dependant upon the laws set forth by the sovereign.