Class Notes 4 You

The concept of possessive individualism is related to the concept of capitalist class. Hobbes belonged to the age of capitalism. Individualism and materialism were the philosophies supporting capitalism.  According to Hobbes, the nature of man is self-centred and materialist. Hence, Hobbesian man is not a social man and not an idealist person. Man is materialist. So, man desires material pleasure. It means man desires property. Hence, the security of life and property are the reasons behind creation of state. Hobbes represented the philosophy of emerging capitalist class. Capitalism in its initial stage required strong state to give protection. Thus, his philosophy is a vindication of the interest of capitalist class of his age.  Possessive individualism means the belief that whatever man owes it emerges out of his hard work and labour. Society has no contribution to it. Hobbes also believes that man is self-centered and self-interested and to man is capable of thinking about ...

The views of Hobbes, the exponent of social agreement, are individualistic. The one who gave all of the atoms to the person, that is, the ideas of Halas are based on physics, geometry and psychology. Hobbes wrote in his book Leviathan that all power should rest with the king.Due to which his thoughts are seen as supporters of dictatorship and autocracy. Commenting on the views of Hobbes, McPherson said that the views of Hobbes are possessive individualists. Because Hobbes has talked about giving all the powers in the hands of one person. McPherson said that Hobbes's ideas are influenced by markets and he is also a supporter of markets.  Because he talks about protecting the interests of the capitalists. If the state is powerful then it must be a supporter of capitalism. McPherson writes in his famous work "The Political Theory of Passive individualism" that Hayes is a supporter of the powerful state and the sovereign state. According to Hobbes, only a powerful and despo...

Hobbes Intro: Thomas Hobbes is known as the first modern thinker in the history of western philosophy. He is the first one to give the complete theory of sovereignty. His work- Leviathan Context: He had seen anarchy during the puritan revolution of seventeenth century in Britain. Hence his core concern was the establishment of peace and order in the society. In medieval times, theory of two swords led to chaos. Emperor and pope as two poles of authority. Mac had separated church and state. Hobbes puts church under the state. His ideas- Belongs to social contract tradition wherein state is a result of social contract. Belongs to Positive school of law- state is the source of laws.  Adv of positive law: its source is certain it is definite it is enforceable Creates equality between men as it is given by the state does not believe in natural law that is law derived from reason but in positive law as for Hobbes man has reason only till the point he understands what is good or bad for h...