Abstract:

From Hobbes to Kant, there is a deep belief in the evil of human nature. Based on this belief, Hobbes believes that in the absence of Leviathan, humans are in a state of war, and the reason why humans need political authority and established states is to seek peace by stepping out of the natural state. Kant takes over the arguments of Hobbes and Rousseau, believing that the selfishness of human nature is precisely the driving force behind the development of human society. Nature uses an opposite means to bring out the good in human nature, making people pursue science, civilization and peace. Moreover, Kant advances Hobbes’ statement on the state of war, stating that Hobbes only talks about the issue of achieving peace within a society, but fails to address the issue of achieving peace between nations. The end of a state of war within a nation does not necessarily mean the end of a state of war between nations. In order to achieve permanent peace for humanity, Kant believes that it is impossible to establish a government that could politically rule over all humanity, as Hobbes believes. Instead, it is necessary to establish a peace alliance among all countries to safeguard human peace. Rawls takes over Kant’s argument in The Law of Peoples.

Key words: state of nature, state of war, peace