Prudents, Rascals and Fools

Abstract

This work calls the attention over a rarely considered problem by philosophers of social contract and it can be presented in an interrogative manner: Which is the original position of the individuals who pact an agreement on the foundation of a civilized society? To answer this question, this essay considers Hobbes’ social contract approach presented in his works De Cive (1642) and Leviathan (1651). In here, the author argues that Hobbes’ appeal is worthless, despite the fact that it is presented as vital within his contractual approach. Such appeal is the Social Pact. Nonetheless that move grounds civilised life, it is abandon by Hobbes himself being forced to apply to the coercive force of the sovereign to accomplish the promises of the pact. The reason is that human beings are selfish and tend to be rascals: the coercive force of the sovereign has to correct such behaviours. The conclusion reached by this essay is that the negotiation table could be only conformed by some prudent people and many rascals and fools. This set of individuals with different perception about the meaning of social interest justifies the great weight of the argument of the coercion of the government time after the agreement reached by the Hobbesian society.