Hobbes state of nature is a condition in which everyone is governed by his own reason.

According to Hobbes, this is an unregulated state where life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. (Hobbes, p.486) Hobbes identifies the state of nature as a situation where each individual will determine how to act, judge, and live without any law enforcing agency. There will be no authority to pass judgment or to settle any disputes. This will produce an environment filled with chaos and no security. Hobbes states that in this type of environment everyone will fear everyone. Hobbes explains that if two men want the same thing they both cannot enjoy it or share so they become enemies. He further describes that in the nature of man there are three principal causes of quarrel: competition, diffidence, and glory. (Hobbes, p.488) Hobbes expresses that the nature of men compels them to invade for gain, seek safety, and also seek reputation for glory. As indicated by Hobbes, men are continually in competition for honor and dignity(Hobbes, p.494) and always comparing themselves with others. Hobbes points out that other living creatures such as bees and ants do not do this and they live sociably with one another. They do not use reason or think. However, as per Hobbes, men strive to reform, innovate, and govern the public, (Hobbes, p.494) which leads to conflict and war. Hobbes state of nature allocates each individual with the right of nature jus naturale, which is the freedom of each man to do what is desired and do whatever necessary to preserve and safeguard him /her self. This gives a person an unlimited right to do absolutely anything for his/her preservation. He conveys this as a right to all things. Hobbes clarifies that this right to all things will bring about serious conflicts, fear of those who take pleasure in exercising power over others, disagreements in religious beliefs, competition for resources, and enemies. Hobbes specifies that the state of nature is an environment in which a person

can decide and dictate what is respectful, right, owed to him/her, and act on his/her judgment as he/she thinks best. He communicates that this is a condition of war. Hobbes articulates that this condition with no recognized authority to reconcile and settle disputes will lead to a condition of war which will become a war of everyone against everyone. Hobbes thinks all humans can be rational self-interested individuals who would choose to seek peace. He states that humans are rational beings and will recognize that, peace is good, and therefore also the way or means of peace are good, which is the first rule of the law of nature. The self-interested person will do whatever necessary to secure peace. The second rule is for humans to defend themselves by giving up the right to all things. Hobbes indicates that these are the laws of nature, lex naturalis. Humans will understand and recognize that they must avoid treating others in ways that they would not want to be treated. All men will be contracted to one rule, do not that to another, which thou wouldest not have done to thyself. (Hobbes, p. 493) Hobbes determines that the rational self-interested person will surrender and renounce his/her right, submitting to a political authority and setting free the right to all things. As indicated by Hobbes, that a man be willing, when others are so too, as far-forth, as for peace, and defence of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down his right to all things, and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself. (Hobbes, p.490) In accordance with Hobbes, the rational self-interested person will agree to the mutual transferring of right which is called a contract. This social contract will bind an agreement of giving in to an authority of a sovereign. As indicated by Hobbes, these rational beings will all have the same motivating factor to promise obedience. This motivating factor he calls fear. Hobbes believes that when individuals are threatened they

will seek protection, and they will agree comply with laws. Hobbes entitles this as sovereignty power. Hobbes thinks the rational self-interested person will agree to a social contract which involves the rejection or transfer of right to all things and the authorization of the sovereign power.