Locke, Hobbes was a rationalist who exalted the creative role of reason in all things (James, 1972, p. 86). Another important element of his philosophy is naturalism, as noted, the belief in the concept of the moral natural law. By this Hobbes means the laws of self-preservation and power, and the moral distinctions come into play with the creation of the state, the establishment of rights and the institution of positive law. The will of the sovereign is, for Hobbes, the norm of morality. However, Hobbes is not interested in expounding a totalitarian doctrine, one meaning that all life should be directed and controlled by the state. Rather, he sees the institution of the state and the concentration of indivisible sovereignty as making it possible for human beings to pursue their several ends in security and in a well-ordered manner. He sees the state as something human beings have created through enlightened self-interest. If the sovereign loses his power to govern and can no longer protect his subjects, that is the end of his ru
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