Hobbes and His Ideas on Human Nature

Thomas Hobbes, in his work Leviathan, draws a picture that shows man as a quite self-interested and competitive human being in the state of nature, in which is there is no law. He has a belief that people tend to create war without a state since it is the only rational act to be self-interested (Hobbes 82). However, individuals are driven by both dark triads that are affiliated with ethically, and socially apathetic beliefs and attitudes, including interpersonal manipulation and callous behavior (Kaufman, Scott Barry et al. 2), in contrast, also a light triad of personality that is a positive, good natured side of human beings, namely, a benevolent side (Kaufman, Scott Barry et al. 2) no matter if there is the state of nature or central authority. However, he misses the point that law is not the only factor that leads to the protection of humans since people can still protect themselves against others without law and people. Considering these facts, the hypothetical view of men in the state of nature is not plausible and reasonable. Protecting oneself against others comes from human nature and it is inevitable to sustain security even without the law. Hobbes maintains that nobody is superior to another in terms of both physical and mental capacities (82). On the physical side, there is no so great difference to claim advantage since the weakest can also kill the strongest by the secret machination (82). As for the mental side, all men are equal since they all are satisfied with their shares in terms of wisdom. Hence, it will make them aware that attacking others can create worse conditions than they currently have. Also, the fight is not necessary to sustain peace in the state of nature because they already know that they are equal. To be more precise, this can be illustrated by Rio’s favelas, Rocinha neighborhood where there is no law or central authority. They have their association without formal government and being neglected by public investments paves the way for a new society therein. Art galleries, photograph centers, and gardens are productive consequences of self-sufficiency and creativity. In that regard, people are prone to share their ideas or what they have with someone else and to improve their conditions regardless of the existence of common power such as a state. As of this point, the hypothetical portrayal of a man in the state of nature that Hobbes describes by saying that a human is a wolf to human cannot fully reflect the truth. People have both drives of being altruistic and self-interested no matter if they live in the state of nature or in the state governed by the central authority since these urges come from human nature. Hobbes argues that there is a discord in nature of men due to the following principles: competition, diffidence, and glory that all respectively means the same goal that cannot be shared creates enemies; if there is distrust, to attack first is the most reasonable thing; any sign of undervalued or disregarded leads to a tendency to raise the values in eyes of others. (83). Nonetheless, in addition to this pointed dark triad of the men, people also have a light triad of personality. They are many altruistic people who sacrifice themselves for others’ sake or concerns about the problems of strangers. This can be illustrated by charities that are generally managed by altruistically motivated people since benevolent acts are not about the existence of the state. The inclination to sacrifice their time and efforts to help other people in need just comes from the nature of the men and people do not take these good-natured actions for the gain that comes from the government. The ideas of Hobbes are simply on the basis of dark and selfish characteristics of the human being by emphasizing that having no common power is enough to make them destroy each other (84). As such, it can be deducted that he ignores the altruistic, caring, loving aspects of people despite there are many illustrations all over the world regardless of state. Thus, getting pleasure from benefiting others is a reward in itself and the theoretical sight of men before the establishment of the state is not directly reachable. In a conclusion, the ideas of Hobbes states regarding the characteristics of the human being can be refuted by two main viewpoints. One is that it is humans by their nature are prone to protect themselves against others, and it is inevitable to maintain security even without laws. Hence, people are aware that the potential consequences of attacking someone can generate worse circumstances than they have. Also, people tend to share their ideas or possessions with someone else and enhance their conditions, to the detriment of common power such as a state like Rocinha. Another point is that, due to their human nature, people have the motives to be both altruistic and self-interested, no matter if they live in both the state of nature or the state governed by the central power. Hobbes's ideas are established mainly on the dark and negative behaviors of humans due to nonexistence of law while ignoring the altruistic nature, compassionate, loving qualities of humans. Thus, the hypothetical view of men in the state of nature is not rationalist and acceptable.