Sunday, May 9, 2010

Liberty and Dominion

In chapter 17, in the first paragraph, it says, "The finall Cause , End, or Designe of men, (who naturally love Liberty, and Dominion over others,) in the introduction of that restraint upon themselves, (in which we see them live in Common-wealth's,) is the foresight of their own preservation, and and a more contented life thereby; that is to say, of getting themselves out of that miserable condition of Warre..."

Is Hobbes saying that men, "(who naturally love Liberty and Dominion over others)" always live in Common-wealth's (cities)? I'm pretty sure that village people also prefer liberty over slavery, and I'm also pretty sure that there were mastrers and slaves who lived in villages in Hobbes' time. I know that Aristotle says one can not be fully human without living in a city, but I think Hobbes has taken this to the next level. Only men (or women) in cities can love liberty and dominion over others? Those are two very human qualities which I don't think are restricted to the more philosophical society.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.