Thomas Hobbes

Definition

Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher best known for his political philosophy, especially as articulated in his work 'Leviathan.' He is often associated with the social contract theory and his views on the nature of human beings, which he believed to be fundamentally self-interested and driven by fear of death, leading to a need for a powerful sovereign to maintain order and prevent conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes argued that in the absence of political authority, life in the state of nature would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short' due to constant fear and competition among individuals.
2. He believed that people willingly submit to a sovereign authority through the social contract to escape the chaos of the state of nature and attain peace.
3. Hobbes viewed human beings as primarily motivated by self-preservation, which underlies his rationale for the necessity of a strong central authority.
4. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern political philosophy and significantly influenced later thinkers, including John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
5. Hobbes' concept of absolute sovereignty suggested that once individuals consent to the social contract, they must accept all decisions made by their sovereign to maintain stability.

Review Questions

• How does Hobbes' view of human nature inform his arguments about the necessity of a strong central authority?
  • Hobbes' perspective on human nature posits that individuals are inherently self-interested and prone to conflict. This belief drives his assertion that without a strong central authority to enforce order, society would descend into chaos, where life would be characterized by fear and violence. Therefore, he argues that people must accept the social contract to ensure their own safety and prevent the anarchy of the state of nature.
• Analyze how Hobbes' concept of the social contract differs from those proposed by later philosophers such as Locke and Rousseau.
  • Hobbes' social contract emphasizes absolute sovereignty as a necessary means to prevent conflict in a fundamentally selfish human condition. In contrast, Locke's theory advocates for a government with limited powers focused on protecting individual rights, while Rousseau posits that people can achieve true freedom through collective governance. Thus, Hobbes' view prioritizes security over individual liberties, marking a significant divergence from these later philosophies.
• Evaluate the implications of Hobbes' political philosophy on modern international relations theory regarding conflict and state behavior.
  • Hobbes' ideas suggest that states, like individuals in his state of nature, operate under conditions of anarchy where self-interest drives behavior. This perspective leads to a realist interpretation of international relations, where states prioritize their own security and engage in power struggles. The understanding that conflict is inherent due to competitive self-preservation has influenced contemporary theories on war, alliances, and diplomatic relations, shaping how states interact on the global stage.

Related terms

Social Contract: A theoretical agreement among individuals to form a society and establish a government that provides protection and maintains order in exchange for some individual freedoms.

State of Nature: A philosophical concept used by Hobbes to describe the hypothetical condition of humanity without political authority, characterized by chaos and constant conflict.

Absolute Sovereignty: The idea that a single ruler or governing body should hold supreme power over a state to ensure peace and security among its citizens.