QQuestionPhilosophy
QuestionPhilosophy
"Which of the following was a central idea in Hobbes's Leviathan?
A. Religious freedom
B. Separation of powers
C. Natural rights
D. Social contract"
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Answer
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Step 1:: Identify the main ideas in Hobbes's Leviathan
Hobbes's Leviathan is a significant work in political philosophy, and it discusses several key concepts. Among the options provided, the two most relevant are "Natural rights" (C) and "Social contract" (D).
Step 2:: Understand Hobbes's view on natural rights
Hobbes argued that in the state of nature, individuals have natural rights, which include the right to preserve their own lives and the right to do anything necessary to achieve that end. However, this state of nature is characterized by a "war of all against all," leading to a life that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Step 3:: Understand Hobbes's view on the social contract
To escape the state of nature, Hobbes proposed the idea of a social contract. Individuals agree to relinquish some of their natural rights and submit to a common authority (the Leviathan) to maintain social order and prevent the chaos of the state of nature. This agreement creates a civil society governed by a social contract.
Step 4:: Compare natural rights and the social contract in Hobbes's Leviathan
While natural rights are a fundamental aspect of Hobbes's philosophy, the central idea in his Leviathan is the social contract. The social contract is the solution to the problem of the state of nature, and it is the means by which individuals can live together in a civil society.
Final Answer
The central idea in Hobbes's Leviathan is the social contract (D).
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