State of Nature

Hello, everyone. Five days have passed since I've arrived at Seattle. Sunshine is so strong that we feel very hot here.
Now, I'm at Asian Library where thousands of hundreds of Asian books are stored. There are, of course, Japanese books in the library. This library is the most comfortable for me to stay for long time when I study thanks to the atmosphere.

Today, I want to tell you about "State of Nature." (自然状態 in Japanese) It is a term in political philosophy. Some philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau argued this. State of nature is a condition without government. Thus, to consider this condition will help us thinking of the reason why government exists and why it is needed for human beings. This term was first suggested by Hobbes in his book, Leviathan. I think some of you know following phrase, "war of every man against every man." (万人の万人に対する闘争 in Japanese) That is, Hobbes believed that human beings without a government would behave "badly" towards one another because he also believed that human beings is allow to do anything to preserve their own liberty or safety. I think he stated a government is needed for basic security which brings comfortable, sociable, civilized life.

In addition, he assumed each people have a right to preserve their own lives. This right is defined by him as "the right of Nature." (自然権 in Japanese) I suppose we will deal with this topic in the course in order to discuss the need of a government.

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ABOVE:This is the Asian library.You can borrow book at the front counter in the picture.

BELOW:This is a picture of Suzzallo & Allen Libraries. It opens from 8:00 to 22:00 through Monday to Thursday.