What is life like in the state of nature?

Translation: quotations from Thomas Hobbes are quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, the laws of nature are silent and do not provide sufficient security for peace. He argues that individuals are driven by hope and fear, and will act to secure their own self-preservation, often through force or craft, leading to a condition of war. "It is of itself manifest that the actions of men proceed from the will, and the will from hope and fear, insomuch as when they shall see a greater good or less evil likely to happen to them by the breach than observation of the laws, they will wittingly violate them." [1]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, no man can know right reason from false, and that every man's own reason is the rule of his own actions and the measure of another man's reason in things that concern him. This is because, without civil government, individuals must rely on their own reasoning to determine duties toward others. "for the right; yet being without this civil government, in which state no man can know right reason from false, but by comparing it with his own, every man's own reason is to be accounted, not only the rule of his own actions, which are done at his own peril, but also for the measure of another man's reason, in such things as do concern him." [2]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that life in the state of nature is a perpetual war of all against all, marked by jealousies, suspicions, and danger, making it disagreeable to the preservation of mankind and each individual. This belief is grounded in his argument that the natural state of men before civil society is a war where no one can be secure. (key quote above) [3]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that the state of nature is a 'mere war of all against all' in which all men have equal right unto all things. This belief is based on his argument that men in this state are compelled by nature itself to desire peace, but cannot achieve it without a compact. (key quote above) [4]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that the state of men without civil society is a mere state of war, which is an adversary to man's preservation. This belief is grounded in his argument that men by nature are all equal and have equal right to all things, but this natural right is unprofitable and leads to discord and mutual violence. [5]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, life is characterized by discord and strife due to the diversity of human appetites and the resulting disagreement over what is good or evil. He argues that this condition is evil and that peace is good, which is a conclusion derived from reason. "They are, therefore, so long in the state of war, as by reason of the diversity of the present appetite, they mete good and evil by diverse measures." [6]
• BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that life in the state of nature is characterized by war, where every man is enemy to every man, leading to a life that is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. This belief is grounded in his argument that without a common power to maintain order, people live in continual fear and danger of violent death, with no place for industry, culture, or society. (key quote above) [7]
• BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, life is hostile and warlike, leading to the destruction of nature itself, as men kill one another. This is based on his observation of both historical and contemporary examples of savage nations and early societies. "The estate of hostility and war being such, as thereby nature itself is destroyed, and men kill one another" [8]
• BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, men are still in the state of war until they have security one against another. This is because every man is his own judge and allowed to do what seems good in his own eyes, leading to mutual fear and the absence of laws to ensure peace. "In this estate of man therefore, wherein all men are equal, and every man allowed to be his own judge, the fears they have one of another are equal, and every man's hopes consist in his own sleight and strength." [9]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Hobbes describes the state of nature as a condition of perpetual war between individuals. [3]

2. In this state, every person has equal right to all things, but this leads to conflict and mutual fear. [4]

3. The result is a life that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" due to the absence of a common power to maintain order. [7]

4. Without a sovereign authority, individuals are driven by self-interest and the desire for self-preservation, often leading to violence. [1]

5. The laws of nature, while present, are not sufficient to prevent this condition of war because they are silent and not enforced. [1]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Thomas Hobbes believed that life in the state of nature is characterized by constant conflict and danger, with individuals acting out of self-interest and fear. This leads to a life devoid of peace, security, and the benefits of society.

Competing readings: None.

Confidence: High, based on multiple direct statements from Hobbes about the state of nature and its consequences.