Original scientific paper

Hegel and the Tradition of Natural Law

Zvonko Posavec ; Faculty of political science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The author discusses the relationship between Hegel and Hobbes with regard to the tradition of natural law. Both thinkers start by considering the state of nature as a construct of reason. Yet while Hobbes describes the state of nature as the original state of the human race, Hegel in describing it rejects any social context. They both present natural law as an absolute fact of the individual's freedom starting from which the whole building of the political community has to be erected. The essential difference between Hobbes and Hegel begins with the demonstration of the ways in which radical individualism is being transcended. Hobbes believes that natural law has only been supressed by the predominance of a legal and political order while according to Hegel the state of nature is a fiction and natural law achieves its realization only in a custom-ruled community. In Hegel the system of mediations is so powerful that a return to the state of nature appears to be impossible. In Hobbes the natural state of war of all against all (Behemoth) is latent in the political community (Leviathan). The political community (Leviathan) exists only as long as it is able to supress chaos (Behemoth).

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

111910

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/111910

Publication date:

1.3.1993.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.873 *