"And therefore there be some rights which no man can be understood by any words, or other signs, to have abandoned or transferred."

Here Hobbes is arguing for the INALIENABILITY of certain moral rights.  (Inalienable rights are rights that can't be renounced or transferred by means of a voluntary act like contracting or promising.  Examples: my property right to my pencil is alienable because I can give you that right just by declaring that it's yours.  On the other hand, my legal right not to be killed by you is inalienable in the US--nothing I can do, not a contract, promise, anything, can make it legal for you to kill me.)

In no more than 2 pages (typed, double-spaced, normal margins and font, etc.) reconstruct Hobbes' argument for the inalienability of the right to resist those who assault one by force.  Hobbes thinks, in other words, that no matter what you do, you can't transfer your right to resist people in self-defense to anyone, not even as part of a contract.  What is his argument for this claim?  (The argument is fully contained in the paragraph from which the above quote is taken.)

Due in class Friday, 30 March 2000.

1. Explain what Rousseau means by the “General Will”

2. Identify a problem with his conception of the general will.

3. Respond on Rousseau’s behalf to that problem.

Due in class Friday, 14 April 2000.