PHL265H1 Chapter 16: PHL265 S Oct 1 Hobbes Chapters 16,17,28,30.docx
Document Summary
Civil law the laws that men are therefore bound to observe because they are members of a commonwealth. Law in general, law is not counsel, but command by someone of whom whose commands formerly oblige their subject. Civil law laws by which the commonwealth commands men to make use of, to distinguish right from wrong, and what is contrary to the rule. Some laws are particular to some provinces, particular vocations etc. Commands are to be signified by sufficient signs as law recognition. The legislator in all commonwealths is only the sovereign. Laws can also only be abolished by the sovereign. The sovereign is not subject to civil laws; if he wishes to go against a civil law, he need only abolish it. Only he that is bound to himself is not bound; all other subjects are bound. The judgement of what is reasonable and of what is to be abolished belongs to the sovereign.
