POL200Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Leviathan, Gallows
Document Summary
The right of nature and the laws of nature. In nature, the only law is the law of nature. You cannot live peacefully in the state of nature. Defined as the liberty to use o(cid:374)e"s power to secure ones life. A right to act according to o(cid:374)e"s judgment and reason. A right not to be subjected to the judgment and reasons of others. People have the right to use their power to do what is necessary to survive. In other words, the right of nature allows you to do anything and everything in terms of self preservation. The right to judge when danger threatens, the right to decide what to do in order to avoid dangers including force. We can see why there is so much trouble. Gives people the right of war against all others. It means that you can do what you want, if you deem it necessary to kill someone, you can do it.
