The Great Philosopher – Thomas Hobbes

Introduction

Thomas Hobbes was born at Westport, England, on 5th April 1588. His father, Thomas Sr, was a small preacher of Westport. His childhood is almost unknown, and his mother’s name is unknown. Thomas Sr, Hobbes father, was involved in a fight with local clergy and was forced to leave London. Then Thomas Sr’s brother took care of the family and paid for Hobbes education. Hobbes did well at school and won himself a place at University of oxford where he studied from 1603 to 1608. Hobbes is best known for his book Leviathan. Other than political philosophy Hobbes has also contributed to different fields, including history, geometry, the physics of gases, theology, ethics and general philosophy.

The English Civil War

The beginning of 17th century was a time of great political, religious and economical agitation in England. There was a long-lasting conflict between the monarch and the parliament. Since 13th century the parliament emerged as an opposition force to the monarch rule, the monarch of England tried to suppress it, but at the beginning of 17th century the struggle took form of a full-fledged civil war. In 1629, English king, Charles I, began to rule without consulting the parliament. In 1640, after struggling for 11 years, parliament tried to abolish king’s rule. In 1942 Charles I attempted to suspend the parliamentary rule, and gave rise to civil war. For next 11 years there was no monarchy in England and in 1660, a new government on basis of constitution was formed. But things did not settle really for about 30 years. During this period Hobbes came up with his new concept of political theory. By late 1660’s Hobbes had written two tracts; Human Nature, or, the Fundamental Elements of Police and De corpore politico, or, the elements of law, moral and politick.

Hobbes’s Political Philosophy

Hobbes came out with his first attempt in political philosophy in 1960, with his book Human Nature and De corpore politico. In 1642 he wrote DE CIVE, and in 1651 he wrote the third version of book entitled “Leviathan, or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil”. Hobbes compared state to a monster, composed if men, created under pressure of human needs. The main practical conclusion of Hobbes’s theory is that a state or society cannot be secured unless the sovereign has the ultimate power. He follows the view that no individual can hold rights of property against the sovereign, and sovereign can take goods of its subjects without their consent.Hobbes tried to incorporate scientific methods with his political ideology which seems to be a limitation to his theories. Hobbes believes in a state where every human is equal, and the state is the supreme authority, and no one can rebel against the law made by them According to Hobbes traditionally there are two types of law: natural law and Positive law. Hobbes belonged to the school of ‘positive law’. For him the characteristics of law are:

Law Is Emerged From a Definite Source i.e. Law Can Be Made Only by the Sovereign

The law comes with the power of enforcement; no one can oppose or rebel against the law.

He believes that it is important to create a fear of punishment in order to imply the law because people may observe law if they think it is of their interest. They may not observe the law if they think it is against their interest. Hence, Hobbes quotes it as “Covenants, without the Sword, are but Words,This quote can be proved by implementation of “Article 15 of Indian constitution in Indian society”. Article 15 of Indian constitution states prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religion, race, cast, sex, or place of birth. The right to equality includes equality before the law and prohibition of discrimination on ground of religion, cast, gender. However, the article doesn’t prevent the government from making special provision for women and children. Further, it allows state to extend special provision to economically backward class, specially schedule castes and schedule tribes.The article was passed in 1951. It has been 68 years since the article has been passed, still the law has not been implemented fully. Discrimination based on cast, religion and colour is still faced by people on different societies.

Religious Voilince in India

It includes act of violence by followers of one religion against followers of other religion.Regional violence in India has generally involved Hindu and Muslims. From 2005 to 2009 period, an average of 130 people died every year from communal violence. Over 2012 about 97 people died because of religious riots. USCIRF has charged Hindu nationalist groups for their campaign to “Saffronize” India through violence. All of this is seen as a violation to the article which prove the point that covenant without sword is nothing but words.

Gender Inequality

Although being a democratic country, equality is yet to be attained in India. Basic rights for women are hard to practice.Women make up about 48% of Indian population but have never benefited the economy equally. Every year about 239000 girls, under the age of 5, die because of child mortality. Women in India earn 19% less than men, which reflects the gender pay gap in the country. These genders discrimination is a violation of the article.

Cast System

There are about 3000 castes and 25000 sub castes in India, each related to specific occupation of community. Majorly in India, Dalit communities undergo the cast oppression. Being a schedule tribe, they are not allowed to use the privileges that are being used by upper cast About 165 million people in India have been justified based on caste. There is this obnoxious hierarchical castism problem which, even today, people associate with, it is so crucial to eradicate this structural problem to make this a ‘liveable society’.Racism, sexism, gender inequality, racism, can be seen in India even now. These things go against the law of equality.