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Hobbes’s Hobbes’s LeviathanLeviathan

Mark BedauMark BedauHum 210Hum 210

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outlineoutline metaphysics & metaphysics &

epistemologyepistemology materialismmaterialism

consciousnessconsciousness freedomfreedom

ethics & politicsethics & politics human naturehuman nature societysociety

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metaphysicsmetaphysics what kinds of things exist? what kinds of things exist?

what is their nature?what is their nature? what explains their behavior?what explains their behavior?

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sensationemotiondesiremotionreproduction growth

consciousness

consciousnesssensationemotiondesiremotionreproduction growth

nutritivereproductivemotivesensitiveintellectual

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materialismmaterialism monism: everything is materialmonism: everything is material

God: “a most pure, simple, indivisible, spirit God: “a most pure, simple, indivisible, spirit corporeal”corporeal”

micro-mechanical universemicro-mechanical universe corpuscular picturecorpuscular picture interaction of parts explains behavior of whole interaction of parts explains behavior of whole

Galileo, Descartes, etc. Galileo, Descartes, etc. Hobbes extends corpuscularismHobbes extends corpuscularism

mind and actionmind and action morality and politicsmorality and politics

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epistemology: epistemology: empiricismempiricism

knowledge comes only via sensesknowledge comes only via senses cp. rationalism of Descartescp. rationalism of Descartes Hobbes: senses detect only Hobbes: senses detect only

material objectsmaterial objects view world materialisticallyview world materialistically

cp. empiricism of Machiavelli cp. empiricism of Machiavelli cp. empiricism of Montaignecp. empiricism of Montaigne

apply reason to careful definitionsapply reason to careful definitions loved geometryloved geometry

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evidence?evidence? propro

empiricist theory of experienceempiricist theory of experience micro-mechanical sciencemicro-mechanical science alternatives are mysterious alternatives are mysterious

concon conscious experienceconscious experience freedomfreedom

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consciousnessconsciousness the qualitative aspects of experiencethe qualitative aspects of experience

““qualia”qualia” hurtfulness of pains, itchiness of hurtfulness of pains, itchiness of

mosquito bites, taste of lemon, smell of mosquito bites, taste of lemon, smell of skunk, …skunk, …

how does Hobbes explain sensory how does Hobbes explain sensory experience?experience?

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Hobbes on sensationHobbes on sensation corpuscular, ballistic explanationcorpuscular, ballistic explanation experience = motion of bits of matterexperience = motion of bits of matter

purely mechanical definition of conscious purely mechanical definition of conscious statesstates

ditto for rest of mental livesditto for rest of mental lives imagination, dreaming, trains of thought, …imagination, dreaming, trains of thought, …

like Descartes w/o pineal glandlike Descartes w/o pineal gland like contemporary viewlike contemporary view

brilliant materialistic move!brilliant materialistic move!

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““The cause of sense is the external body… which The cause of sense is the external body… which presseth the organ proper to each sense…; presseth the organ proper to each sense…; which pressure by mediation of the nerves … which pressure by mediation of the nerves … continued inward to the brain and heart, causeth continued inward to the brain and heart, causeth there a resistance, … or endeavor of the heart to there a resistance, … or endeavor of the heart to deliver itself, which endeavor, because outward, deliver itself, which endeavor, because outward, seemeth to be some matter without. And this seemeth to be some matter without. And this seeming … is that which men call sense, and seeming … is that which men call sense, and consisteth, as to the eye, in a light, or color consisteth, as to the eye, in a light, or color figured; to the ear, in a sound;… Neither in us figured; to the ear, in a sound;… Neither in us that are pressed, are [such sensible qualities] that are pressed, are [such sensible qualities] anything else but divers motions; for motions anything else but divers motions; for motions produceth nothing but motion.” (i, 4)produceth nothing but motion.” (i, 4)

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challenge: zombieschallenge: zombies zombies = physically identical but unconsciouszombies = physically identical but unconscious

behavior: talks of dreams, cries in pain, acts “freely”behavior: talks of dreams, cries in pain, acts “freely” not Hollywood zombiesnot Hollywood zombies

inside: no conscious experienceinside: no conscious experience zombies are logically possiblezombies are logically possible

notnot claiming zombies exist claiming zombies exist if Hobbes were right, zombies would be impossibleif Hobbes were right, zombies would be impossible so materialism seems falseso materialism seems false

Q - any plausible materialist response?Q - any plausible materialist response?

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materialism and freedommaterialism and freedom materialismmaterialism

all bodies subject only to physical forcesall bodies subject only to physical forces second problemsecond problem

we think we have free willwe think we have free will free will seems impossible for materialismfree will seems impossible for materialism

puzzled Greeks, Romans, Scholasticspuzzled Greeks, Romans, Scholastics Renaissance: dignity, fortune, Renaissance: dignity, fortune,

predestinationpredestination

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problem of prior causesproblem of prior causes

beliefs & desires behavior

priormaterialconditions

this causal picture undermines freedom Action is free only if causes within control of the agent Ultimate causes are outside the agent’s control So, no action is free.

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Hobbes’s solutionHobbes’s solution a pseudo-problema pseudo-problem

false presupposition: freedom opposed to causationfalse presupposition: freedom opposed to causation truth: freedom is a truth: freedom is a kindkind of causation of causation

““Liberty and necessity are consistent: … [the actions Liberty and necessity are consistent: … [the actions which men do voluntarily] proceed from their will, which men do voluntarily] proceed from their will, proceed from proceed from libertyliberty; and yet, because every act of man’s ; and yet, because every act of man’s will, and every desire, and inclination proceedeth from will, and every desire, and inclination proceedeth from some cause, and that from another cause, in a continual some cause, and that from another cause, in a continual chain, whose first link is in the hand of God the first of all chain, whose first link is in the hand of God the first of all causes, proceed from causes, proceed from necessitynecessity.” (xxi, 4).” (xxi, 4)

brilliant move!brilliant move! compatibilismcompatibilism

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freedomfreedom vs. vs. unfreedomunfreedom

internal vs. external causes free actions result from deliberation (tussle between desires)“In deliberation, the last appetite or aversion immediately adhering to the action, or the omission thereof, is that we call the will… For a voluntary act is that which proceedeth from the will, and no other” (vi)

behaviorbeliefs, desires,will

priormaterialconditions

external causes

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challenge for challenge for compatibilismcompatibilism

lots of counterexamples: unfree behavior lots of counterexamples: unfree behavior caused by internal desires, not by external caused by internal desires, not by external factorsfactors brainwashingbrainwashing compulsioncompulsion kleptomaniakleptomania

diagnosis: the wrong diagnosis: the wrong kindkind of desires of desires Hobbes’s mistake: key not internal vs. external Hobbes’s mistake: key not internal vs. external

causescauses

Q - any materialist solution?Q - any materialist solution?

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interim summaryinterim summary 2 challenges to corpuscular 2 challenges to corpuscular

metaphysicsmetaphysics

next: what about corpuscular ethics?next: what about corpuscular ethics? society = aggregation of peoplesociety = aggregation of people

explains formation of society, morality, explains formation of society, morality, property, laws …property, laws …

what is human nature outside society?what is human nature outside society?

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three views of human three views of human naturenature

society is natural,people are essentiallysocial

society is artificial,naturally good people are corrupted by society

society is artificial,naturally selfish people are controlled by society

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Hobbes’s state of natureHobbes’s state of nature “… “… during that time men live without a common during that time men live without a common

power to keep them all in awe, they are in that power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war, and such a war as condition which is called war, and such a war as is of every man against every man.” (xiii, 8)is of every man against every man.” (xiii, 8)

rough equality of abilitiesrough equality of abilities conflicting desiresconflicting desires actual fighting or threat of fightingactual fighting or threat of fighting

none of the benefits of societynone of the benefits of society chaos, insecurity, traumachaos, insecurity, trauma

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““In such a condition there is no place for In such a condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain, and consequently, no culture of the earth, no and consequently, no culture of the earth, no navigation, nor use of commodities that may be navigation, nor use of commodities that may be imparted by sea, no commodious building, no imparted by sea, no commodious building, no instruments for moving and removing such instruments for moving and removing such things as require much force, no knowledge of things as require much force, no knowledge of the face of the earth, no account of time, no the face of the earth, no account of time, no arts, no letters, no society, and which is worst arts, no letters, no society, and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent of all, continual fear and danger of violent death, and the life of man is solitary, poor, death, and the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” (xiii, 9)nasty, brutish, and short.” (xiii, 9)

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no morality, no propertyno morality, no property ““To this war of every man against every man, To this war of every man against every man,

this also is consequent: that nothing can be this also is consequent: that nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have there no place…. It is and injustice, have there no place…. It is consequent also … that there be no propriety, consequent also … that there be no propriety, no dominion, no no dominion, no minemine and and thinethine distinct, but distinct, but only that to be every man’s that he can get, only that to be every man’s that he can get, and for so long as he can keep it.” (xiii, 13)and for so long as he can keep it.” (xiii, 13)

morality and property are unnaturalmorality and property are unnatural artificial creation of collective human activityartificial creation of collective human activity

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create morality (xxiv)create morality (xxiv) Right of natureRight of nature

the right to protect your life the right to protect your life Q - what is a “right” if there is no morality?Q - what is a “right” if there is no morality?

Law of natureLaw of nature better phrase: “rational rule of self-interest”better phrase: “rational rule of self-interest”

moral virtues moral virtues a pattern of behavior that protects your lifea pattern of behavior that protects your life

First law of natureFirst law of nature you should seek peace, you should seek peace,

seek to avoid the state of nature seek to avoid the state of nature

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how create peace?how create peace? rational self-interest causes state of naturerational self-interest causes state of nature

human naturehuman nature

analogy: prisoner’s dilemmaanalogy: prisoner’s dilemma insufficient evidence to convictinsufficient evidence to convict convict on lesser chargeconvict on lesser charge if both confess, moderate sentencesif both confess, moderate sentences if one confesses and implicates partner, he gets if one confesses and implicates partner, he gets

light sentence and partner gets harsh sentencelight sentence and partner gets harsh sentence

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prisoner’s dilemmaprisoner’s dilemma prisoner A

keep quiet confess

keep quiet

prisoner B

confess

3 yrs

3 yrs 1 yr

10 yrs20 yrs

20 yrs

10 yrs1 yr

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prisoner’s dilemmaprisoner’s dilemma dilemma for rational self-interestdilemma for rational self-interest

multiple person dilemmamultiple person dilemma tragedy of the commons tragedy of the commons

common grazing landcommon grazing land rational self-interest: cheat if you canrational self-interest: cheat if you can then everyone suffersthen everyone suffers

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solutionsolution everyone agrees to cooperateeveryone agrees to cooperate

2nd law of nature2nd law of nature you should give up your natural rights you should give up your natural rights

to the extent that everyone else also to the extent that everyone else also doesdoes

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more laws of nature (xv)more laws of nature (xv)rational rules of self-interest = rational rules of self-interest = theoremstheorems of of

morality morality 3.3. keep your promiseskeep your promises4.4. reciprocate gifts and kindnessesreciprocate gifts and kindnesses5.5. be accommodatingbe accommodating6.6. pardon peoplepardon people7.7. seek rehabilitation, not revengeseek rehabilitation, not revenge8.8. be friendlybe friendly

……

19.19. settle factual disputes by impartial witnessessettle factual disputes by impartial witnesses

Q - any left out? any not belong? Q - any left out? any not belong? Q - method sound?Q - method sound?

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how to stop cheaters?how to stop cheaters? create mechanism to ensure create mechanism to ensure

compliancecompliance

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create a sovereigncreate a sovereign ““The only way to erect such a common power The only way to erect such a common power

… is to confer all their power and strength … is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon an assembly of men, upon one man, or upon an assembly of men, that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of voices, unto one will, … which is as much as voices, unto one will, … which is as much as to say, to appoint one man or assembly of to say, to appoint one man or assembly of men to bear their person, and every one to men to bear their person, and every one to own and acknowledge himself to be author of own and acknowledge himself to be author of whatsoever he that so beareth their person whatsoever he that so beareth their person shall act, … and therein to submit their wills, shall act, … and therein to submit their wills, every one to his will, and their judgments, to every one to his will, and their judgments, to his judgment.” (xvii,13)his judgment.” (xvii,13)

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corpuscular Leviathancorpuscular Leviathan the sovereign the sovereign

derives authority derives authority from the people from the people individuals exist individuals exist

before sovereign before sovereign individuals create individuals create

sovereign to curb sovereign to curb human nature human nature

individuals identify individuals identify with sovereignwith sovereign

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sources of moral sources of moral authorityauthority

GodGod social contractsocial contract

reason & consent of governed & human naturereason & consent of governed & human nature Hobbes: Hobbes: oneone morality morality

Cp. Machiavelli: individual morality ≠ civic moralityCp. Machiavelli: individual morality ≠ civic morality Q - Why Hobbes and Machiavelli differ on this?Q - Why Hobbes and Machiavelli differ on this?

next century: utilitarianismnext century: utilitarianism reason & overall good of everyone reason & overall good of everyone

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corpuscular corpuscular consequencesconsequences

origin of propertyorigin of property ““The distribution of materials … is the The distribution of materials … is the

constitution of mine, and thine … and constitution of mine, and thine … and belongeth … to the sovereign power” (xxiv, 5)belongeth … to the sovereign power” (xxiv, 5)

no right of rebellionno right of rebellion the sovereign forms no covenant with subjects the sovereign forms no covenant with subjects

(xviii, 4)(xviii, 4) no unjust lawsno unjust laws

““The law is made by the sovereign power, and The law is made by the sovereign power, and all that is done by such law is warranted and all that is done by such law is warranted and owned by every one of the people.” (xxx, 20)owned by every one of the people.” (xxx, 20)

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conclusionsconclusions materialismmaterialism

problems: problems: consciousnessconsciousness freedomfreedom solutions: solutions: TBATBA compatibilismcompatibilism

social contractsocial contract artificial, rational (moral artificial, rational (moral sciencescience)) basis: selfish human nuturebasis: selfish human nuture

polarity: Hobbes vs. Rousseaupolarity: Hobbes vs. Rousseau

Hobbes’s outlook is substantially ours Hobbes’s outlook is substantially ours we inherit his problemswe inherit his problems