Sport as War or a Means to Peace?
Thomas Hobbes’ Laws of Nature
Dr. Steven Aicinena

Abstract
The work of 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes found in Leviathan is used to explain the motivation for antisocial and harmful behavior observed in human beings and particularly in modern sport. According to Hobbes, individuals, by nature, are self-serving. This leads them to engage in behavior that results in a state of continual conflict, which he referred to as a state of war. Hobbes believed adherence to the laws of Nature is necessary to create a condition of peace. In the current paper Hobbes’ laws of Nature are utilized to provide modern competitors with guidelines for behavior that foster a condition of peace instead of war. They also serve as a guide for achieving peace in the general global society.

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