A Study Of Hobbes's Social Contract Theory

Hobbes' s political philosophy is a reaction to the tradition of classical political philosophy.Fundamentally speaking,the tension between the two lies in the different understanding of the political nature of the human being.The classical political philosophy is a kind of natural politics,it recognizes and follows the natural order,takes the natural order as the logical starting point,pursues a kind of natural rule based on natural virtue,thinks that the human being is born with the political and social nature;but Hobbes' s political philosophy argues against the natural order,rejects the natural rule based on the natural virtue,denies that the human being is born with political and social nature,advocates taking the natural rights of individuals as logical starting point,and constructs a modern political society based on the combination of personal equality.As for modern natural science,Hobbes' s political philosophy mainly borrows the scientific method of rational deduction.Scientism is an important label of Hobbes' s political philosophy,but never is the fundamental basis of Hobbes' s political philosophy.Hobbes' s political philosophy conceives a state of nature by drawing off the public power from the realistic political society,and thinks that the state of nature is a state of war,and thus derives the natural rights and the laws of nature.Hobbes discovers the truth of human nature,which is that there is no order and peace without fear,through the analysis of the state of nature,and then according to the requirements of the laws of nature,advocates constructing an absolute monarchy based on the truth of human nature.The purpose of the existence of the state is to ensure that the laws of nature are fulfilled with the compulsory public power to maintain peace and security.Hobbes believes that only the absolute power can ensure the punishment,so the absolute monarchy is better than democracy and aristocracy.The common criticisms and misunderstandings of Hobbes' s social contract theory are as follows: thinking that Hobbes confuses the state of nature and the state of society,believing that Hobbes advocates the theory of original evil of human nature,considering the state of nature as a primitive condition,deeming that there is no experience and social activities in the state of nature.