Socrates Jones: Pro Philosopher - Chapter 3: Hobbes
Part 4 of 7, of a playthrough of "Socrates Jones: Pro Philosopher". Socrates Jones speaks with Hobbes, a grim philosopher who believes that humans are depraved, selfish and cruel, by nature.
Socrates argues that humans often cooperate with each other. Hobbes elaborates on his theory, saying that humans long ago formed a social contract, in which they agree to deny their selfish natures and cooperate, for the good of all. This is the foundation of morality.
Socrates points out that if humanity is as bad as Hobbes claims, humans would never agree to such a social contract. They would break the contract with impunity, the first chance they get. Hobbs responds, by saying that a Sovereign is needed to enforce the social contract. This can take the form of laws or police, but a King is most common.
Socrates points out that the Sovereign, by definition, exists outside the social contract. The only way to ensure the Sovereign follows the social contract is if a second Sovereign or a second social contract is formed, which would have to be enforced by another Sovereign or social contract. This argument requires a never-ending cycle of Sovereigns and social contracts.