Abstract

This study investigates Hobbe’s theory of natural rights. Hobbes conceived a natural right of every man to every thing that is necessary for his survival. This prima facie curious theory was consecutively attacked with conceptually illuminating arguments from the two main representatives of the next generation of natural lawyers, Pufendorf and Cumberland. Their objections and possible defences of Hobbe’s theory are reconstructed. Especially Pufendorf’s arguments help to understand Hobbe’s position in ascribing him a special concept of rights, namely non-obligatory rights. This concept in turn was fully developed in Pufendorf’s extremely influential distinction of perfect and imperfect duties.