Abstract

Hobbes argues that it is reasonable to institute government. But there is a problem with a main proposition in that argument -- a proposition that, in varying forms, has found its way into some contemporary arguments in favor of government. "Without government there would be anarchy and chaos" might be the modern equivalent. I argue that, on the contrary, a "state of nature" need not be a state of war, that people in a state of nature can with reason enter into and perform some kinds of agreements, and that, where some power is required in order to assure performance, such power need be neither absolute nor common over everyone.