Question

nature has made men so equal, in the faculties of the body and mind; as that though there be found one man sometimes manifestly stronger in body, or of quicker mind than another, yet when all is reckoned together, the difference between man and man, is not so considerable... for such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned; yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves.... the state of nature: from this equality of ability, arises equality of hope in the attaining of our ends. and therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies.... hereby it is manifest (shown), that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man. for war consists not in battle only, or the act of fighting, but in a tract of time, wherein the will to contend by battle is sufficiently known. in such condition there is no place for industry meaning productive labor, not industry in modern sense of factories, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building... no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and, which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. 3. what is hobbes’ view about the state of nature of man? 4. what happens to society when men are at war? 5. what type of government would hobbes propose?

Explanation:

1. Hobbes views the state of nature as a condition of equality leading to conflict, with life being solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
2. In war, society lacks industry, culture, navigation, buildings, knowledge, arts, letters, and has continual fear of violent death.
3. Hobbes proposes a strong central authority (absolute sovereign) to end the state of nature.

Answer:

1. The state of nature is a condition of equality causing conflict, with life "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
2. Society lacks industry, culture, navigation, buildings, knowledge, arts, letters; marked by fear and violent death.
3. An absolute sovereign government (strong central authority).