Of Cattle & Commonwealth

A More Contended Life

Caleb after roping a wild bull

In his outline of causes for commonwealth, Thomas Hobbes points out that man has a desire for a “more contended life.”  They want their rights of life and liberty and their properties secured and protected.  Thus, they need a social contract to sacrifice some comfort and liberty for a greater liberty.

In my little brother’s seminary class, upon being asked if he wanted grow up as a calf in the safety, comfort, and warmth of the stall responded, “Nah, the cattle hate being corralled and cornered; I’d rather be free to roam and find my own food.”

While as humans we really do desire the “contended life” with not just its luxuries but assurance that our rights and properties will be protected, having grown up on a cattle ranch, Caleb understood that cattle prefer the range over the corral and peace over protection.

Like Bees & Ants

Some of the reasons Hobbes says creatures live harmoniously are:

• Men seek their “own superiority” whereas with creatures, so long as one is happy, doesn’t care what the other has
• Creatures can communicate but can’t express what’s good and evil
• Harmony is natural among creatures but only comes by agreement and a common power for men.

The “only solution” to prevent injury and insure protection is to form not just an agreement, for man can back out on his word, but to form a common power to which everyone submits his will and judgments—a commonwealth.

Commonwealth

This commonwealth is procured by one of two ways: by natural force or by voluntary agreement.  The governing power is the “sovereign” that exists solely to protect and preserve the rights of the people.  If this power is split up, the sovereign is deserting the purpose.  Therefore, it’s his responsibility to maintain those rights and inform the people of his purpose in establishing rights.