- tried to explain nature of man and society w/out recourse to assumptions of Greco-Christian tradition.
- born 1588.
- Only certain principle of human conduct was self preservation.
- Descarte- humans could still know reality even if no resemblance between our sense experience and external world.
- Elements of Philosophy physics, psychology, & political implications sections, basis of work.
- Theory hold that all social relations are artificial & are products of calculation rather than impulse or affection.
- Humans must give their consent to absolute gov't, anything less makes gov't unstable and life impossible .
Intro & XII Book: "Of Man".
- Nature of artificial man.
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- Attributes all the changes of rel. in the world to one and the same cause.
Chapter XIII: Of the Naturall Condition of Mankind, as concerning their Felicity, and Misery.
- Human beings are equal enough in power that any one can claim to what any other one has. Differences in individual capacities are overcome by use of reason or by collective action. .
- Most people are relatively equal with respect to the ability to conduct their affairs, except intellect. A sign of this is that most people think that they are as wise as the others; their contentment with their natural allotment indicating that they have a sufficient share of cautiousness. .
- Because of their equality, people have equal hopes of attaining their goals, and because of this, they become enemies when these goals come into conflict. (The goals may be as basic as preservation of life or as little as one's amusement). .
- If men are not under control of some powerful master, they do not find much pleasure in the company of others, because they expect to be valued by others to the same extent as they value themselves. When they do not attain this "glory," they cause damage to those who give them disrespect, setting thereby an example to others as well. .
- In summary, human beings by nature have three sources of conflict, competition, diffidence, and glory.