Abstract

Hobbes attempts to remove civil conflict through the creation of a state authority so powerful that no one will resist it. This study defends and develops the position of Leo Strauss that Hobbes uses fear of violent death the antidote for that he considers anti-social qualities. In the process Hobbes cultivates an anti-heroic morality. Those who are afraid to die will cooperate with the sovereign, but those who are not afraid to die become variables who cannot be accounted for in the Hobbesian system. The "virtues" are so-called not because they make a man morally good, but only insofar as they contribute to peace and comfort. Honor, loyalty, refusal to compromise and courage to suffer or die for one's beliefs cease to be virtues. Hobbes' theory leads to cowardice, compromise, complaisance and self-indulgence as being more appropriate civic virtues. Thus Hobbes strives to reduce everyone to the least common denominator, in which any claim to moral excellence is held to be destructive of the peace. ;This study contrasts Hobbesian thought with traditional philosophers to show how Hobbes viewed the basic history of thought on heroism and military virtue, and how he misinterprets or oversimplifies this tradition. ;Loyalty is quite openly rejected as Hobbes insists that obligation to a leader ends with his ability to protect his followers. While Hobbes continues to speak of honor as an important concept, honor is nothing more than good reputation which is used to increase one's standing. Hobbes is explicit in denying courage and discipline the status of virtues. Courage is a kind of anger which can be useful individuals but is usually harmful to the community. Hobbes cultivates a sense of anti-heroism by filling his writings with suggestions that weakness and fear are not blameworthy--and he uses his own life as an ideal of the timorous citizen. ;The new morality rejecting courage, honor, loyalty and refusal to compromise was adopted and deepened by Hobbes' intellectual heirs. Such concepts as the emphasis on compassion and human dignity find their seeds in Hobbes and contribute to the rejection of military virtues in new ways