Summary of Hobbes' Argument
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Hobbes' political philosophy is a solution to his ethical relativism. In the state of nature, men are their own judges of what is a threat to them. As such, there is no clear objective truth about who presents a threat and to whom. Thus, men in a state of nature will come to see that the law of nature obliges them to renounce their right of private judgement over what is to count as dangerous in dubious cases, and accept a common authority over them.

In Leviathian, the common authority is created when everyone agrees "to submit their wills, everyone to his will, and their judgements, to his judgement".

Other Notes in this Category

1. Getting Out of the State of Nature
2. Summary of Hobbes' Argument
3. The State of Nature
4. Unlimited Sovereignty

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