Thomas Hobbes: Foro Inferno Vs. Foro Externo Essay, Research Paper

Thomas Hobbes Paper – What is the difference between obligations in foro interno and in foroexterno, and when do we have such obligations? According to Thomas Hobbes, there are certainlaws of nature which exist in the absence of an organized government. These laws are extremelycut throat, and place people in extremely dangerous situations where their lives are in danger.Government is the answer to this dangerous situation, but it is here that the question of obligationcomes into question. Does one have an obligation to take a chance and follow the laws set forthfor them, or should they only think of themselves, and follow the laws of nature? This is a vitalquestion which I will explore. According to Hobbes, the overriding law of nature is kill or bekilled. Hobbes believed that, “every man has a right to everything, even to another man’s body.And therefore, as long as this natural right of every man to everything endureth, there can be nosecurity to any man(how strong or wise soever he be) of living out the time which natureordinarily allowith men to live.” However he also believed, “that a man be willing, when othersare so too as far-forth as for peace and defense of himself that he shall think it necessary to laydown this right to all things, and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as hewould allow other men against himself.” The question now is, when do we have an obligation tostrive towards peace when it means giving up our natural rights? According to Hobbes, we alwayshave an obligation to work towards peace, and have an obligation in foro interno, but not alwaysin foro externo. The difference between there two are that in foro interno means inside you, oryou believing in something. In this case, it would mean that inside you, you would want to strivefor peace because it would mean an end to worrying about your life. No longer would you haveto walk around in a state of nature where any one can come and take your life. Hobbes believedthat a person always has an obligation to strive towards peace in foro interno because every manwants one thing more than any other, and that is to live. However, Hobbes did not believe thatyou always had an obligation to work towards peace in foro externo. The reason for this, simplyput, you can not trust other men to do the same unless you can be sure that they will not turn on

you and take your life. Hobbes felt that, “For he that should be modest and tractable, and preformall he promises, in such time and place where no man else should do, should be make himself preyto others, and procure his own certain ruin, contrary to the ground of all laws of nature, whichtend to nature’s preservation.”3 Hobbes felt that one’s obligation in foro externo ended whenfulfilling the obligation would endanger the life of the person. Every law of nature is geared forthe preservation of the life of the self, and therefore, every man has the right to not do somethingshould it mean that he would have to give up his or her life. In the case of in foro externoobligation towards peace, you do not always have to do it. If you decide you are going to give upyou right to everything, and do so, but another person does not, they will most likely kill you.Therefore, before one can oblige in foro externo, there must be some sort of safeguard or higherpower which will ensure that everyone will give up their right to everything. That is wheregovernments come in. Their job is to make sure that when all men agree to a covenant, in whichthey give up their rights to everything, that they do not decide to break that covenant and takewhat they want when they want it. To make sure this breaking of the covenant does not happen,governments set up institutions such as the police to make sure everyone follows the rules of thegovernment. It is only then, when a person can be sure that they will be protected from others, arethey obliged in foro externo to strive towards peace and give up their right to everything.Personally, I agree with what Hobbes is saying in this matter, it makes a lot of sense even thoughit was written so long ago. It still has much relevance today. Take for example the U.S., wheremost people have obliged in foro externo to strive for peace and give up their natural rights. Thisis only possible because people are not afraid (for the most part) that others will take advantage ofthe situation and take what they want. However in other countries where this safety is not felt,there is many instances where people take what they want, when they want it, and often at theexpense of the people who have given up their right to everything. So as you can see, whatHobbes said so long ago, still has much merit today.