Thomas Hobbes

Definition

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who lived in the 17th century and is known for his influential political theory, particularly his ideas on the social contract and the state of nature. Hobbes' philosophy had a significant impact on the development of modern political thought.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes believed that the state of nature was a condition of constant war, where life was 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'.
2. According to Hobbes, individuals in the state of nature are driven by self-interest and a desire for power, leading to a perpetual conflict.
3. Hobbes argued that to escape the state of nature, individuals must agree to a social contract and submit to the authority of a sovereign power.
4. The sovereign, in Hobbes' view, has absolute power and authority to maintain order and security, and individuals must obey the sovereign's commands.
5. Hobbes' political philosophy justified the existence of an absolute monarchy as the best form of government to ensure peace and stability.

Review Questions

• Explain Hobbes' concept of the state of nature and how it relates to his idea of the social contract.
  • According to Hobbes, the state of nature is a condition of constant war and conflict, where individuals are driven by self-interest and a desire for power. In this state, life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' To escape the state of nature, Hobbes argued that individuals must agree to a social contract, where they give up certain freedoms and rights to a sovereign authority in exchange for the protection and order provided by a government. The social contract, in Hobbes' view, is the basis for the establishment of a legitimate and absolute sovereign power that can maintain peace and stability within society.
• Analyze Hobbes' justification for an absolute sovereign authority and how it relates to his understanding of human nature.
  • Hobbes believed that human nature is inherently selfish and driven by a desire for power, leading to a constant state of conflict in the absence of a strong, centralized authority. He argued that the only way to escape the state of nature and ensure peace and security is to establish an absolute sovereign power that has the authority to enforce laws and maintain order. Hobbes justified the existence of an absolute monarchy as the best form of government, as he believed that individuals must submit to the sovereign's commands in order to avoid the chaos and violence of the state of nature. Hobbes' understanding of human nature as inherently self-interested and prone to conflict was the foundation for his argument in favor of an all-powerful sovereign.
• Evaluate the extent to which Hobbes' political philosophy, particularly his ideas on the social contract and the role of the sovereign, have influenced the development of modern political thought.
  • Hobbes' political philosophy, as outlined in his seminal work 'Leviathan,' has had a profound and lasting impact on the development of modern political thought. His concepts of the social contract and the necessity of an absolute sovereign authority have been highly influential, informing the work of subsequent political theorists and philosophers. While Hobbes' ideas have been subject to significant criticism, particularly regarding the extent of the sovereign's power and the suppression of individual freedoms, his emphasis on the importance of social stability and the role of the state in maintaining order has remained a central tenet of political theory. Hobbes' influence can be seen in the writings of Locke, Rousseau, and other Enlightenment thinkers, as well as in the development of modern democratic and constitutional forms of government. His ideas continue to be debated and reinterpreted, underscoring the enduring significance of Hobbes' contributions to the field of political philosophy.

Related terms

State of Nature: Hobbes' concept of the state of nature, which he described as a chaotic and violent condition of human existence prior to the establishment of organized society and government.

Social Contract: Hobbes' idea that individuals in the state of nature agree to give up certain freedoms and rights to a sovereign authority in exchange for the protection and order provided by a government.

Leviathan: Hobbes' influential work that outlines his political philosophy, including the concepts of the state of nature and the social contract, and the justification for an absolute sovereign authority.