A state of nature is a hypothetical state of being within a society that defines such a way that a particular community behaves within itself. The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes proclaimed: “A state of nature is a state of war.” By this Hobbes means that every human being, in the absence of government or contract among other members of a society, would act in a state of war in which every man would be motivated by desires derived solely with the intention of maximize its potential. own utility. He asserts that acts of kindness, charity, and benevolence are always actions that the performer believes will result in a beneficial consequence for himself. The basis of this argument by Hobbes lies in the concept of reason. He writes that human beings are logical creatures and that, unlike other animals, they use reason to make all their decisions (Leviathan 2, 17). A law dictated by reason and which benefits man is called a law of nature. Hobbes lists three fundamental laws of nature that promote man's primary motivation, namely self-preservation. Hobbes believes that all men are equal in that the weakest man has the power to kill the strongest man. So, given that every man is vulnerable to every other man, all men have a very strong desire to escape the state where killing each other is acceptable, the state of nature. This can be done, simply by seeking peace, which, coupled with waging war only in self-defense, is the first law of nature (Leviathan 1, 14). The second law of nature derives directly from the first. He insists that man renounce his right to all things; and be content with as much liberty towards other men as he would grant other men liberty against himself” (Leviathan 1, 14). Essentially, in the state of nature, man has a right to all things. In following this second law of nature, a man gives up certain rights in the hope that other men will do the same in seeking peace with one another. This mutual transfer of rights is called a contract or alliance. By entering into the contract, a man waives all rights set forth in the contract. However, man cannot waive his right to defend himself, because the sole purpose of entering into the contract is his own self-preservation. Once the contract is formed, one must obey Hobbes' third natural law, which is to adhere to the contract (Leviathan 1, 14)....... middle of paper ...... which are not intended to relieve guilt, or win the favor of others, but simply because a man will feel better by helping another. It is an act based on maximizing one's own utility, even if it is simply in one's mind. For those for whom morality and helping the common good are important, altruistic acts exist even if they fall into the category of selfish acts. Thus, Hobbes's theory regarding actions based solely on selfish motivations is not truly complete. The main critics of Thomas Hobbes' work are most often those who have a more optimistic view of human nature. However, if one really examines a man's actions in depth, one can always find a selfish motivation. The main problem with Hobbes's claims is that he ignores the more Darwinian perspective that helping one's own species survive is both a selfish and anti-war act. So his conclusion that without a governing body we are essentially at war with each other is not entirely true, as years of evolution can help disprove it. Works Cited Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Prometheus Books. Amherst,.1988.