Sensible Knave Essay

Hobbes position on whether “injustice is not in the interest of the unjust” is rather convincing because Hobbes explains that the “fool” said that “in his heart, there is no such thing as justice; and sometimes also with his tongue seriously alleging, that every man’s conservation and contentment, being committed to his own care, there could be no reason, why every man might not do what he thought conduced thereunto: and therefore also to make, or not to make; keep or not to keep covenants ,was against reason” (Hobbes 309). The meaning behind this is that justice doesn’t exist because if every man is committed to doing good and not breaking a covenant, there is no reason for anything to be injustice, unless, someone breaches a covenant thus …show more content…
David Humes “Sensible Knave” thinks that in a certain case it is okay to act unfairly as long as it “adds to his fortune” and does not cause any major harm or change to society. Hume also says that “Honesty is the best policy, may be a good general rule, but is liable to many exceptions ; and he, it may perhaps be thought, conducts himself with most wisdom, who observes the general rule, and take advantage of all the exceptions” (282-283). The meaning behind this is that since the knave believes that honesty is the best policy, the knave takes advantages of all the loopholes while observing the general rule and leaves certain information out for his fortune. (Being honest but leaving out information for his benefits in his favor). Ultimately in the end, the Knave will come to a realization that his doings although they might be successful will still have some consequences coming in his direction. This statement can be backed up by Humes saying that “will discover that they themselves are, in the end, the greatest dupes, and have sacrificed the invaluable enjoyment of a character, with themselves at least”