Que) “Hobbes was an individualist thinker.” Explain.
Ans) Individualism in Hobbessian Thought
While on one hand Hobbes has advocated absolute and unlimited sovereignty, on the other hand there is also a clear and strong philosophy of individualism in his ideology. Even though this may seem contradictory, in reality is completely true. The basic concept of individualism is that all the associations, communities, other institutions or states are created by individuals, the individual is their unit and all of them are nothing more or different from the individuals included in them.
From this point of view, the individual is the end and the state is merely the means. Therefore, the goodness-badness, happiness-sorrow, etc. of an individual should be understood as the evil-goodness or happiness-sorrow of the state and other communities. From this point of view, Hobbes is a completely individualist.
Dunning has written in this regard that “Despite the exaltation of the power of the state in Hobbes’ theory, its basic basis is completely individualistic. It emphasizes the natural equality of all individuals as much as Milton or any other revolutionary thinker. Has given.”
Individualism in Hobbes’ ideology can be seen in the following forms:
1) Hobbes’s concept of human nature is based on individualistic ideology –
Not compatible with socialism or idealism. Hobbes, like Aristotle, does not consider man as a social being but calls him an anti- social being who is self-centered and driven by passions, ego and greed. Under Hobbes’ ideology, this is the psychological element of individualism and on its basis Only individualistic notion can be created.
(2) State is an artificial institution-
Hobbes is a compromise thinker and according to him, the state is an artificial institution which is created on the basis of social agreement. According to Hobbes, man was completely free in his natural state and the state was created by individuals to fulfill some specific objectives. In this way, Hobbes abandons all sentimentality towards the state and takes it to the level of pure utility. This idea of Hobbes is not in line with an autocratic state, but is in line with individualism. That’s why Pro. Sabine writes about ‘Leviathan’ that “its principles were at least as opposed to the arrogant statements of the Stuart kings whom it wanted to support, as to those of the revolutionaries whom it wanted to refute.
(3) State is the means, individual is the evidence –
The logical conclusion of considering the state as an artificial institution and the result of agreement is that the state is the means and the individual is the end. The state is for the individual, the individual is not for the state and the existence of the state is for the protection of the life and property of the individual. Wepper has written that, “The state exists to satisfy human needs and it derives moral authority from the consent of the governed.”…… The state is not the goal of individuals, but the individual is the goal of the state.
(4) The individual has the right to resist the state –
According to Hobbes, the state has been established by the individuals for self-defense. Therefore, it is a person’s duty to obey the orders of the state, but the individual only those orders of the State can be expected to be followed, following which does not infringe upon the individual’s right to self defence. Hobbes writes that if the sovereign person “not to kill himself, not to wound his attacker, or to take food, air, or medicine, on which his life depends,” then Hobbes says that the person disobeys such orders. Hobbes’s man may refuse to join the army, and not only that, Hobbes even advises the man to escape from prison if he learns that criminal proceedings are being taken against him. A person can follow the remaining orders of the state only as long as the state has the power to protect the life of the person. If the sovereign does not have such capacity then the people can rebel against him. or may, if necessary, pay allegiance to another sovereign. The right given to the individual to oppose the state by Hobbes definitely takes him in the direction of individualism.
5) Prohibitive concept of the functions of the states –
Apart from all this, Hobbes has adopted a negative concept regarding the functions of the state and it is completely in accordance with individualism. Hobbes’s ruler has no fondness for undue interference. According to him, laws do not stop human beings from doing all voluntary actions, their purpose is to stop the actions done on the basis of uncontrolled desires, hate or indiscretion of individuals. Law is like a fence which is erected not to stop travelers but to keep them on the right path. In Hobbes’s state, individuals have the right to buy and sell, their own place to live, their own food, and There is complete freedom to choose business and to provide education to one’s children as per one’s wish. Hobbes’s There was also a belief that the ruler should not interfere in the private beliefs and opinions of individuals. He can only demand from them that their external behavior and method of worship should
be in accordance with the laws of the state. “The intelligence and conscience of the individual are beyond the reach of the state.”
Conclusion-
Thus, Hobbes has generally been considered a fierce supporter of the autocratic state, but in reality
elements of individualism are also strongly present in his ideology. Sabine says, “Hobbes’s supreme power of the sovereign is a necessary complement to his individualism. According to Dr. Vishwanath Prasad verma also, the principle of compromise, the emergence of sovereign state power on the basis of agreement and the obedience of the sovereign in the absence of self-defense Irrelevant, behind all this is Hobbes’s fierce individualism.”
elements of individualism are also strongly present in his ideology. Sabine says, “Hobbes’s supreme power of the sovereign is a necessary complement to his individualism. According to Dr. Vishwanath Prasad verma also, the principle of compromise, the emergence of sovereign state power on the basis of agreement and the obedience of the sovereign in the absence of self-defense Irrelevant, behind all this is Hobbes’s fierce individualism.”