Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Rational Choice Theory, Thomas Hobbes, Systematic Chaos
3 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
According to the preferred definition of politics from the last lecture, politics is a way of dealing with conflict. Thought experiment, imagine life without the state and political power. (thomas hobbes 1588-1679) -> hobbesian themes fear fear and i were born friends war - peace seek peace . Hobbes says the worst scenario is : no state protection. He claims powerful state is needed to avoid disastrous interpersonal conflict. Materialism (we are bodies in constant motion) no brain no mind. Felicity (we seek happiness, which is felicity. ( continual success in getting what you want hobbes says) Power (ones present means to obtain some future apparent good. If you want felicity you need power, power will ensure it. There"s no nirvana, you cant get beyond desire according to hobbes) You always come first, which links back to desire) Seek to enhance reputation (we care about what other people think) Averse to our own death (we will seek to stay alive)
