Book 1 on Superphysics

Men are Slaves

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Man is born free yet everywhere he is in chains.

The Right of the Strongest

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The strongest can only be the master if he transforms:

strength into right
obedience into duty.

This is the basis of the right of the strongest.

Force is a physical power, and I fail to see what moral effect it can have.

Conventions are the Basis of Authority

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

No man has a natural authority over his fellow. Force creates no right.

Therefore, conventions are the basis of legitimate authority among men.

Grotius says that an individual can:

alienate his liberty
make himself a slave

Why could not a whole people do the same and make itself subject to a king?

We Must Always Go Back To A First Convention

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

There will always be a great difference between subduing a multitude and ruling a society.

The Sovereign

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This formula shows that:

the act of association comprises a mutual undertaking between the public and the individuals
each individual, in making a contract, with himself, is bound in a double capacity

As a member of the Sovereign, he is bound to the individuals. As a member of the State, he is bound to the Sovereign.

Real Property

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Each member of the community gives himself to it, at the moment of its foundation, just as he is, with all the resources at his command, including the goods he possesses.