Chapter 11:

The Individual and

the State
Group 11 (CPET-2201)
Carsocho, Abegail Solomon, Egieboy
Deomampo, Ronie Valencia, Cyrelle Ann Kae
S.
 The Individual and the
We now discuss the problem of the social ethics dealing with the
State
relations between the subjects and the rulers, between the citizen and the
state. Various solutions to the problem have been offered.
- state is an aspect of the absolute and, therefore, possesses absolute
sovereignty.
- divine right of the kings
- state as purely human origin, the result of the individual wills united
by a contract.
- state in terms of evolution
- state is all at once natural, human, and divine.
 Pantheistic Theory of the State
The chief exponents of this theory are Plato of ancient times and Hegel
of modern times.
• Plato’s teaching is coloured by pantheism. His theory of idealism becomes
or tends to become the theory of state absolutism according to which the
state has absolute power over the citizens. The consequence of such
theory is obvious. The individual is not real, a mere accident of the
universal; all individuality is lost in the universal.
• Underlying Plato’s politics is his concept of justice, which is synonymous
with harmony and unity. This is the ideal to be attained in all things
 Pantheistic Theory of the State
• The purpose of the state is unity and harmony, which can be attain
only if this state possesses absolute sovereignty over its subjects.
• To Hegel, the state has become an aspect of the absolute which is
common substrate of all things, the universal substance of which
individual things are so many accidents or determinations.
• The state being one with the eternal substance of the universe is
not a creation of man. Since it is a divine institution its will must be
the sovereign law, the source of all rights and duties.
 Pantheistic Theory of the State
(criticism)
• The Platonic and Hegelian systems give no place for the
individual. Logically, it would destroy all individuality and all liberty.
There can be no individual rights and freedom in government
where the state possesses absolute control over the citizens.
• But man existed first before the state. Man is man before he is a
citizen. Humanity is superior to the civil society it creates. Man
possesses rights with which the state may not interfere save to
define and defend.
 Theory of Social Contract
• We are familiar with the concept of contracts. Employment and marriage
are just a few example of contract. So if the one party violates the rules or
the agreement therefore the contract is not valid. It can also chaos. We all
know the society are controlled by the government and it includes that we
need to follow the rules and regulations prepared by the government even
if it is against people's will.
• Social contracts provide a framework for how the people and government
will interact properly. Rules, regulation and laws must be follow and
implemented because if not people will commit crime again and again as
long as they want.
 Theory of Social Contract
• If there is no law, there is no justice. Hobbes mentioned that man
is fundamentally evil, man will do whatever they want. Progress
would be definitely be impossible. Therefore, a contract was
necessary. People are not capable of living in a democratic
society. Why? Because people are very compulsive, they do
whatever they like and they don't even think what could be the
consequences. A society need a powerful ruler. Everyone should
do their part if that happens society could funcyion relatively
smoothly.
•  
 Theory of Social Contract
(Criticism)
• In the criticism, there is no need violence for
people to withdraw or follow. Because people can
cooperate without harrasment or what. People can
survive in a democratic country if they really want
to and people would be responsible enough to their
actions. Natural rights should be seen first.
Violence is not a solution.
 Divine Right Theory
• Divine Right Theory – The ruler according to this theory
impersonates the state, whilst he himself holds his office directly
by divine right. He is the responsible directly to God alone and
need give no account to his subjects for his government.
• It is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political
legitimacy. The doctrine implies that any attempt to depose the
king or to restrict his powers runs contrary to the will of God and
may constitute a sacrilegious act.
 Divine Right Theory
( (Criticism)
• The theory that the state is a divine institution is based on the theory
that hereditary monarchy is the only lawful government. It appeals to
a mistaken interpretation of the passage in the Bible: “All power
came from me.” By me, Kings reign, etc.”
• God created the state, the rulers were appointed by God.
Responsible to God alone and not to any human being. People must
obey the king. Disobedience means not only a crime but also a sin.
Kings became so important that some people considered him to be
shadow of God on earth.
 Theory of Rousseau
• Rousseau viewed man as naturally good, completely
free and virtuous. Unfortunately, however, this utopian
state of primitive man did not last. Man was born free
and good; now he is in chains and has become bad.
This is due, according to him, to the evil influences of
society, civilization, learning and progress. For with
these come dissension, conflict, fraud, and deceit.
 Theory of Rousseau
• In order to restore peace, ring back to him his freedom and
return to his true self, man saw the necessity and came to
form the state through the social contract whereby everyone
grants his individual rights to the general will.
• Thus, “each one uniting himself with all, may nevertheless
obey no one but himself and remain as free as before.”
 Theory of Rousseau
(Criticism)
• Rousseau’s view of man’s nature, like that of Hobbes, is purely
imaginary and arbitrary. Rousseau teaches in effect that man is
by nature extra-social and individualistic. He is guilty of a serious
oversight. How can he explain the fact that the family always
existed even before the state? Family life is in its essence social
in nature. And the man cannot be completely free, as Rousseau
imagined man to be, at the beginning. The natural law was in
existence since the beginning and man’s actions were always
governed by the moral law.
 Theory of Rousseau
(Criticism)
• Rousseau’s theory is guilty of an inconsistency. The
formation of the state cam about through a social
compact among men; yet, at the same time it claims that
man, in binding himself to a contract, remains as free as
before. Again, it says that in obeying the laws of the
state it is his own will he is obeying. Where, then, comes
the right of the sovereign to rule and exact obedience
from the subjects?
 The Christian Concept of
the State
• The third theory is the Christian view, which advocates the middle
ground between the two theories just discussed. The theory of
Plato, Hobbes, and Rousseau represents extremes.
• Hobbes (also Plato and Hegel) gives over-emphasis to the
importance of the state at the expense of the individual.
• Rousseau over emphasizes individual freedom; so that the idea
of state sovereignty, which he nevertheless maintains, becomes
purely a figment of the imagination or a contradiction.
 The Christian Concept of
the State
• Christian views avoid both extremes. A true
concept of government must consider and give
justice to both elements: of subjects and rulers, of
governors and governed– two things which can
never be separated from each other in the realm of
true politics. Both rulers and ruled should work in
harmony for the common good.
 2 Psychological Principles of
Christian Theory
1. Man is a Social Being- He has a nature and inclination for
family life. He cannot live alone as an individual. To fulfil his
inborn urge for happiness, he longs for group life. The origin
of the state, therefore, has its roots in man’s social nature.
The state actually came about through the general will and
consent of the people. Therefore, the authority of the ruler
comes from the governed and the purpose of the state is the
common good of the people.
 2 Psychological Principles of
Christian Theory
2. Man is a Personal Being-From the metaphysical
viewpoint, man as an individual is dependent and is
subservient to the state, since the general is always
greater than the individual; the whole, superior to the part.
But man is not only an individual. He is also a person and
as such has rights antecedent and transcendent to the
state. He likewise has a destiny that lies beyond the
state.
 2 Psychological Principles of
Christian Theory
2. From this fact that man is not merely an individual
but also a person with a noble and dignity and
destiny, he has all the rights proper to his personality
and destiny. These rights it is the duty of the state to
preserve and defend. The state cannot be an end in
itself. The individuals and families, therefore, cannot
lose their identity in the state.
 Thank You 
“Life is really simple,
But we insist on making it
complicated.”
-Confucius (Life)