Thomas Hobbes

Definition

Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher, best known for his political philosophy outlined in his seminal work, 'Leviathan'. He argued that humans are naturally selfish and that a strong, centralized authority is necessary to maintain peace and prevent societal chaos, which connects deeply to the political and religious writings of his time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes's views were shaped by the English Civil War, which influenced his belief that without a strong leader, society would descend into chaos.
2. He famously described life in a state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short', emphasizing his belief in humanity's inherent selfishness.
3. Hobbes proposed that individuals must give up certain rights to a sovereign authority to ensure peace and order in society.
4. He believed that the authority of the sovereign should be absolute to effectively prevent civil war and ensure security for its citizens.
5. Despite his focus on political theory, Hobbes also discussed morality and religion in 'Leviathan', arguing that they should serve the interests of the state.

Review Questions

• How did Thomas Hobbes's experiences during the English Civil War shape his views on human nature and government?
  • Thomas Hobbes's experiences during the English Civil War profoundly shaped his perspective on human nature and governance. Witnessing the chaos and violence of the conflict led him to conclude that humans are inherently self-interested and prone to conflict. This understanding drove him to advocate for a strong, centralized authority as essential for maintaining order and preventing societal breakdown, which he elaborated on in 'Leviathan'.
• In what ways does Hobbes's concept of the social contract differ from those proposed by later philosophers like John Locke?
  • Hobbes's concept of the social contract emphasizes the necessity of surrendering individual freedoms entirely to a sovereign authority to maintain peace and order. In contrast, philosophers like John Locke argued that individuals retain certain natural rights even after entering into a social contract. While Hobbes viewed absolute power as essential to avoid chaos, Locke believed that government should be limited and accountable to its citizens, highlighting a significant divergence in political thought between these two thinkers.
• Evaluate Hobbes's argument for absolute monarchy in light of contemporary political thought on governance and individual rights.
  • Hobbes's argument for absolute monarchy raises critical questions about the balance between authority and individual rights in contemporary political thought. While his justification stems from a desire for stability and security in a chaotic world, modern democratic ideals emphasize the importance of limited government and the protection of personal freedoms. Analyzing Hobbes's work reveals tensions between the need for order and the value placed on individual autonomy, suggesting that while absolute power may have been seen as necessary in his time, today's political philosophy advocates for more democratic systems that prioritize both governance and personal rights.

Related terms

Leviathan:

'Leviathan' is Hobbes's most famous book, published in 1651, where he lays out his theories on human nature, the social contract, and the necessity of a powerful sovereign.

Social Contract: The social contract is a philosophical concept that suggests individuals consent to surrender some freedoms to authority in exchange for protection and social order.

Absolute Monarchy: A form of government where the monarch holds absolute power over the state, which Hobbes advocated as the best way to avoid conflict and ensure stability.