Right and power problems in thomas hobbes'political philosophy

The aim of this study is to examine how Hobbes established his political philosophy through the ontological and epistomological bases on the notions of power and right. The qualities Hobbes assigns to the human nature and what the natural rights are, are two of the main discussions in our research. The explanations on the 'oughts' and the notion of right will be questioned in order to view the legitimate sources in Hobbes' mind.First chapter is about Hobbes' ontological and epistemological claims while second chapter reflects the claims from the first chapter over the notions of right and power. This will allow us to discuss what right is, and then what right means before the assigned power, i.e. the ruler. A natural result of this discussions is the rise of questioning the political situation of the individual compared with the relation of the individual and power. At this point, it is open to debate that Hobbes' notion of state is liberal or totaliterian. The research makes it explicit that both claims have power (force) and the notion of majority at the center of their proofs. Hobbes draws borders of religion and politics in favor of politics. This is to avoid the divisive role of religion. He then builds his philosophy on scientific or measurable values. He aims to use these scientific or measurable values by using mechanic-materialist understanding. Hereby this study will be demonstrated that; he redefines the notion of the right with mechanic-materialist assumptions as majority and power (force) as the legitimate source of the right.