Page:The ethics of Hobbes (IA ethicsofhobbes00hobb).pdf/37
two ways: by simply renouncing it, caring not to whom the benefits of such a renouncement may accrue; and by transferrence, intending that the benefits should accrue to some particular person or persons. After a man abandons his right in either manner, he is then obliged not to hinder those to whom it has been surrendered from enjoying the advantages accruing. The reason why a man lays down his right is in consideration of a like performance on the part of another or others or for some good which he hopes to attain. This is evident because it is a voluntary act, "and of the voluntary acts of every man the object is some good to himself." And the "good" which he hopes to attain by such a renunciation or transferrence of rights "is nothing else but the security of a man's person in his life, and in the means of so preserving life as not to be weary of it."[1] Here the egoism of Hobbes, which his psychological analysis revealed, forms the basis of his doctrine of laying down of rights, which lies at the foundation of his theory of the genesis and development of the State.
Then follows his explanation of contract, which is the mutual transferrence of rights. When one of the contracting parties performs his part of the contract, and permits the other party to postpone performing his part until some specified time, trusting him meanwhile, then we have a covenant, This brings us to the third important law of nature: "that men perform their covenants made." If they do not, then the covenants are of no account, and all men, still possessing the right to all things, will continue in a state of war. This law Hobbes calls "the fountain and original of justice."[2] There are other laws of nature, also, such as equity, gratitude, modesty, mercy, etc., all of which may be summed up in one, viz.: Do not that to another, which thou