HOBBES:
Study Questions

1.  What is psychological egoism?  According to Hobbes, what bearing does egoism have on morality?

 

2.  According to Hobbes, what is "the state of nature," ­ when does it exist, what is the general social condi­tion in the state of nature, and why does this condition result?

 

3.  According to Hobbes, why is there no justice in the state of nature?

 

4. What is social contract theory?  According to Hobbes, what are the political and ethical results of the social contract?

 

5. According to Hobbes, what is a right?  In the state of nature what rights do we have?  As a subject in a commonwealth, what rights do we have?