Hobbes: The Principal Causes of Quarrel (P 451bf)

  1. Competition (desiring the same thing, which not both can have (P 451b))
  2. Diffidence (i.e. fearful distrust of one another)
  3. Glory (e.g., celebrity, honor)

How these lead to war:

"The first [competition], maketh men invade for gain; the second [diffidence], for safety; and the third [glory], for reputation. The first use violence, to make themselves the masters of other men's persons, wives, children, and cattle; the second, to defend them; the third, for trifles, as a word a smile, a different opinion, and any other sign of undervalue, either direct in their persons, or by reflection in their kindred, their friends, their nation, their profession, or their name." (P 452 [Pojman's "option" for "opinion" is a misprint, as is his leaving out the word "to" before "defend."])


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Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 10 February 2003