The theory of Human Nature, according to Hobbes, derives from the basis that human appetites and aversions exclusively govern human life, driven by three principle desires: preservation of life, enjoyment of physical pleasures and comforts, and lastly, acquisition or maintainability of power. As a consequence of our appetites and aversions dictating our lives, we are inevitably brought in to this state of nature by means of three principle causes contributing to conflict: competition, diffidence, and glory. The foundation of Hobbes' argument, as a result of this reasoning, is that he is able to compellingly claim that peace is unattainable on the rationale that humans are prone to this state of nature unless there is an established form of absolute government. The premise of Hobbes' argument being successful resides in his ability to convince the people that the state of nature is in fact a state of war and being in this state of nature is the worst possible reality, but like all arguments, not everyone will agree to his reasoning. That being said, I acknowledge Hobbes' ability to form a persuasive argument for an absolute sovereignty, however his depiction of the state of human nature greatly underestimates the capacity of human compassion thus his theory of absolute sovereignty has the potential to be further developed. .
Though Hobbes states that humans are rational and capable beings, we are flawed in the way that we are susceptible to our appetites and aversions. The underlying forces that dictate human life through these appetites and aversions are: life itself, pleasures or comforts, and power. Hobbes defines this phenomenon when he states, "Continual success in obtaining those things which a man from time to time desireth, that is to say, continual prospering, is that men call FELICITY" (p34). This reflects on the phenomenon that we, as human, are never quite satisfied with what we have, not necessarily just in the sense that we want more than what we have but also in the sense that we must take action to maintain what we already have.
