The right to life in Hobbes’s Elements of law natural and politic

Authors

  • Rogério Silva de Magalhães Universidade Federal de São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2447-9012.espinosa.2010.89412

Keywords:

Sovereign power, Self-preservation, Natural right, Civil state, Freedom

Abstract

This article aims to examine the limits of man’s freedom of action, that is, of his natural right taking into account the final goal of this right in Hobbes’s Elements of law, natural and politic. This final goal would be man’s self-preservation. However, in order for this right to be effectively respected, Hobbes claims that it is necessary the rise of a sovereign power. Thus, a simple pact among men is not enough to live in peace. In other words, the existence of a political order ruled by an absolute sovereign power is necessary for the preservation of life to be lawfully effective. Hobbes understands that the civil state is the only one capable of imposing effective conditions for this goal to be achieved.

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Author Biography

  • Rogério Silva de Magalhães, Universidade Federal de São Paulo
    Mestrando em filosofia na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) e bolsista CAPES.

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Published

2010-08-15

Issue

No. 23 (2010)

Section

Artigos

License

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How to Cite

Magalhães, R. S. de. (2010). The right to life in Hobbes’s Elements of law natural and politic. Cadernos Espinosanos, 23, 159-185. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2447-9012.espinosa.2010.89412