6.7 Chapter Glossary

Laws of Nature – Rational rules that humans, according to Hobbes, would follow to preserve their own survival and well-being in a world where there is no higher authority to enforce order.

Right of Nature – For Hobbes, the liberty each person has in a state of nature to use their power as they see fit to preserve their own life.

Social Contract – A theory, model, or idea that describes the A hypothetical agreement between a government and its people, or between members of a society, community, or organization.

Social Contract Ethics – A relativist ethical theory that is based upon the Social Contract hypothetical; the theory that morality is determined by the majority of the members of a society.

State of Nature – For Hobbes, a hypothetical state prior to forming a social contract in which humans exist in a war of all against all and life is “nasty, poor, solitary, brutish, and short”.