Hobbs

Hobbes gives us his estimation of the nature of mankind by initially showing that all men are generally equal. The strongest man can be beaten by the weakest, if the weaker man uses some other force. When it comes to intelligence Hobbes claims men are even more equal, since all men are of equal experience, which is the only way to gain wisdom.

Once Hobbes shows that all men are equals he goes on to explain their interactions. These interactions lead to a war of every man verses every man. If two men want something of which there is only one then this leads to each trying to destroy the other. Competition also rises when men want what others have. Men join forces in order to bring down a man who possesses more than they want him to. War also rises from diffidence, according to Hobbes. Men must always be on guard, because they cannot trust others not to attack them. This causes men to go out and conquer others, since one cannot survive if always on the defensive. Hobbes has one more reason for the state of war: glory. Men want others to look up at them with respect. In order to gain such a reputation, a man will try to conquer others to gain their respect and by example the respect of others. So Hobbes concludes that there are 3 basic causes for war: competition, diffidence, and glory.

This all leads to a state of war, all versus all. The state of nature is constantly at war, which Hobbes claims is not merely battle, but even the threat of battle. This constant state of war leads to no