Thomas Hobbes was the first modern philosopher to articulate a detailed social contract theory. He wrote an influential book titled Leviathan. In this book, he detailed the idea of the social contract which states that men originally formed governments because of their need for protection. People gave up their rights to the rulers including their right to revolt in exchange for their safety; because for him, life would be chaotic and disordered without leadership. Thomas Hobbes termed the “state of nature” as the starting point for most social contract theories. He said that in a “state of nature” human life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. If there are no laws and political orders, people and the society would have unlimited natural freedom. Meaning, to plunder, to rape, to cheat, to murder, to mine, to steal, and to have illegal loggings are just tolerable and acceptable in the society. And without political orders and laws, there would be an endless war and chaos. Thus, for Hobbes, in order to avoid these extreme conditions and chaos, men must contract or agree with each other to establish political community in which they can all gain security in return for subjecting themselves to ruler. People must surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler, in exchange for their protection. The big question is why a person or citizen would voluntarily give up his or her freedom to obtain the benefits of political order? For Hobbes, men consent to give up their rights in favor of the absolute authority of government. It is because of men’s need and even selfish desire why he joined in the social contract. Both people and the government leaders benefit and gain from this agreement. Even though the law of the rulers may be illogical and oppressive, Hobbes believes that government is the only solution or alternative to solve the terrifying disorder and turmoil in the society. In the presence of political laws people are afraid to commit crimes and disorder in the society because of the possible punishments and consequences that the rulers might give to them. The bad thing about social contract is that it is possible for the government leaders to abuse their power and authority. They may take advantage from their positions, for them to get and attain their personal desires.
In the context of seminary formation, social contract is really visible and existing. Here in the seminary there are various rules, regulations, programs and systems are being implemented by the administration and must be strictly observed and faithfully followed by everyone especially by seminarians. All of these must be put into practice and faithfully observed by everybody in order to maintain a harmonious and peaceful community. We have to obey and respect policies and systems in the seminary in order to avoid problems, misunderstanding, turmoil, and disorder. Thus, we put our trust to our seminary formators, that by their capabilities and willingness to serve us, they will be able to nurture and form us all to become good priests someday. For my almost four years of stay here in the seminary, I have many observations on how the administration leads and governs or rules the entire community, and this is the reality and we cannot deny that. There were times that they misuse their authority as formators. They thought that what they believe, say, and command is always true. I am in doubt whether what they do is really for everyone because there is always favoritism. Sometimes, they fail and refuse to listen to us. They let us enter into their own perception, insight and ideas which I thought sometimes these are already becoming meaningless and out-of-the-way. There are really misunderstanding and division among them in terms of decision making and communication. I think, they have a misconception of what really a formator must be. However, we cannot simply blame and judge them, they are not perfect priests, and nobody is perfect, and that is the point. They have also weaknesses and lapses as leaders or formators. Sad thing is that, if they will continue to remain in their own perspectives and will. As seminarians, we have the great responsibility to move and act out what must be the right thing to happen in the community. We gave ourselves for them for us to be formed, so we must also give our part and contribution. We are meant to help each other. We have to do faithfully our part. We have to obey and respect seminary rules, systems and regulations in order for us to have a comfortable, harmonious and peaceful community. We have to avoid doing bad habits and unnecessary actions in order for us not to be given sanctions and punishments. Of course we must not commit or do any grievous acts so that we will not be expelled. We have to do good things and behave well for us to be rewarded like having free afternoon. We have to be honest in our examination because there is a reward, ice cream. These are some of the conditions, reminders, and policy that the seminary administration strictly observed. However, we have to widen and sharpen our awareness and perspectives. We have to think and reflect deeply. We have to be involved in every situations and happenings here in the seminary. We should not depend only and be controlled by their own perspectives. We must assert what should be the best and right thing for all of us. We have to speak out. To be “sipsip” is not needed in order to be praised, but we have to stand for the truth. We have to be “risk taker and and never be safe player”, kung tani.
In the context of seminary formation, social contract is really visible and existing. Here in the seminary there are various rules, regulations, programs and systems are being implemented by the administration and must be strictly observed and faithfully followed by everyone especially by seminarians. All of these must be put into practice and faithfully observed by everybody in order to maintain a harmonious and peaceful community. We have to obey and respect policies and systems in the seminary in order to avoid problems, misunderstanding, turmoil, and disorder. Thus, we put our trust to our seminary formators, that by their capabilities and willingness to serve us, they will be able to nurture and form us all to become good priests someday. For my almost four years of stay here in the seminary, I have many observations on how the administration leads and governs or rules the entire community, and this is the reality and we cannot deny that. There were times that they misuse their authority as formators. They thought that what they believe, say, and command is always true. I am in doubt whether what they do is really for everyone because there is always favoritism. Sometimes, they fail and refuse to listen to us. They let us enter into their own perception, insight and ideas which I thought sometimes these are already becoming meaningless and out-of-the-way. There are really misunderstanding and division among them in terms of decision making and communication. I think, they have a misconception of what really a formator must be. However, we cannot simply blame and judge them, they are not perfect priests, and nobody is perfect, and that is the point. They have also weaknesses and lapses as leaders or formators. Sad thing is that, if they will continue to remain in their own perspectives and will. As seminarians, we have the great responsibility to move and act out what must be the right thing to happen in the community. We gave ourselves for them for us to be formed, so we must also give our part and contribution. We are meant to help each other. We have to do faithfully our part. We have to obey and respect seminary rules, systems and regulations in order for us to have a comfortable, harmonious and peaceful community. We have to avoid doing bad habits and unnecessary actions in order for us not to be given sanctions and punishments. Of course we must not commit or do any grievous acts so that we will not be expelled. We have to do good things and behave well for us to be rewarded like having free afternoon. We have to be honest in our examination because there is a reward, ice cream. These are some of the conditions, reminders, and policy that the seminary administration strictly observed. However, we have to widen and sharpen our awareness and perspectives. We have to think and reflect deeply. We have to be involved in every situations and happenings here in the seminary. We should not depend only and be controlled by their own perspectives. We must assert what should be the best and right thing for all of us. We have to speak out. To be “sipsip” is not needed in order to be praised, but we have to stand for the truth. We have to be “risk taker and and never be safe player”, kung tani.
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