What is a covernant by hobbes?

Answer 1

Thomas Hobbes viewed a covenant or contract to be a mutual transferring of a right. Take into consideration that Hobbes' view of a right does not entirely comply with that of current political thought. For him, a right was simply an action performable by a man without external impediment. In order for a contract or covenant to be valid it must meet several requirements: 1. There must be a higher power overseeing and enforcing the fulfillment of the covenant. 2. The contract must be made between men within a commonwealth. This simply means that a contract is void if made in the state of nature or between a citizen of a commonwealth and the sovereign. 3. The contract must not require an individual to be in a state of submission if presented with physical conflict. Similarly, a covenant may not be made in which a man must put himself into a situation of potential physical harm. There are two ways to be freed of a covenant. First is by performing - the second by being forgiven. A third but quite rare form of discharge is upon the failure of the sovereign to provide ample reason to believe that the contract is enforceable. Thomas Hobbes - The Leviathan (94-97) Hope that helps! Cheers!

Answer 2

A covenant in Hobbes' political theory refers to a mutual agreement between individuals to create a commonwealth and designate a sovereign authority to maintain peace and security. This covenant is essential for individuals to protect their natural rights and escape the state of nature, where life is characterized by fear and conflict. Hobbes believed that this social contract was necessary for establishing a stable society based on the consent of the governed.