Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Hobbes demonstrates that the sovereign's self-interest structurally aligns with subjects' survival, since a dead or impoverished population cannot sustain sovereign power.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Sovereigns can profit enormously from short-term predation even if it destabilizes long-term power; incentives misalign.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Historical despots maintained power while impoverishing subjects through slavery, serfdom, and extractive colonialism.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Structural alignment assumes rational calculation, but sovereigns often pursue ideology, revenge, or prestige over survival logic.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.A sovereign requires tax revenue, labor, and military recruits; these flow only from a living, functioning population.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Hobbes's logic applies to long-term power stability: short-term extraction gains vanish when subjects die or flee.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Even self-interested rulers benefit from basic order, property rights, and non-predation that enable population survival.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.