Introduction
Thomas Hobbes, a well-known English philosopher from the 17th century, created a theory of morality that is sometimes linked to his more general political philosophy presented in his work “Leviathan.” Hobbes’ philosophy of morality is based on his knowledge of the social compact and human nature (Borinshtein et al., 2021).
Philosophy of Morality by Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes believed that people were naturally self-interested and motivated by their desire for personal gain and self-preservation. In the state of nature, he reasoned, people would always be at odds with one another because there would be no central power to enact rules and uphold order. Life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” in such a situation.
Hobbes thought people would engage in a social compact, giving up part of their rights and liberties to sovereign power in exchange for safety and security to escape this chaotic situation. This sovereign, whether a king or a government, would have the authority to uphold social order and execute the law. According to Hobbes’ perspective, morality is based on the rules made by the sovereign rather than on divine precepts or infallible standards. According to Hobbes, morality is a social construct resulting from people agreeing to follow a set of laws (Larson et al., 2020). These regulations are required to avoid the inevitable conflict and disorder that would develop if everyone pursued their self-interest at all costs.
Hobbes’ conception of morality is frequently viewed as more in line with egoism than benevolence. He contends that people pursue their happiness and well-being to the greatest extent possible out of self-interest. By guaranteeing a stable and ordered community, the social compact and the creation of a sovereign power protect one’s self-interest (Kanatli, 2021). Hobbes is typically viewed as being more of an egoist than an altruist.
Conclusion
Hobbes’ notion of morality differs from the ideas of many individuals, especially those based on ethical or religious principles. Traditional moral systems frequently refer to concepts such as right and wrong, obligation, and the common good. Hobbes’ morality, in contrast, is based on self-interest and the requirement for social order.
This idea is frequently viewed as a divergence from more conventional moral theories, highlighting the inherent worth of certain deeds or ethical precepts. Hobbes’ notion of morality has drawn ire and generated continuing discussions among philosophers and academics. Some contend that his focus on self-interest ignores crucial facets of human nature, like empathy and collaboration.
References
Borinshtein, Y., Stovpets, O., Kukshinova, O., Kisse, A., & Kucherenko, N. (2021). Phenomena of freedom and justice in the interpretations of T. Hobbes and J. Locke. Amazonia Investiga, 10(42), 255-263. Web.
Kanatli, M. (2021). Private Property, Freedom, and Order: Social Contract Theories from Hobbes to Rawls. Taylor & Francis.
Larson, D. B., Magnus, D. C., Lungren, M. P., Shah, N. H., & Langlotz, C. P. (2020). Ethics of using and sharing clinical imaging data for artificial intelligence: a proposed framework. Radiology, 295(3), 675-682. Web.