Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher, political theorist, and historian

Born: April 5, 1588, in Westport, Wiltshire, England

Died: December 4, 1679, in Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, England

Nationality: English

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who is considered one of the most extraordinary and influential thinkers of the early modern period. His ideas about the nature of human society and the role of the state continue to shape political and moral philosophy to this day.

Hobbes is extraordinary for many reasons. Perhaps his most significant contribution to philosophy is his concept of the social contract. In his book, Leviathan (1651), Hobbes argues that individuals enter into a social contract with each other, surrendering their individual rights to a governing authority in exchange for protection and security. This idea revolutionized political philosophy by providing a foundation for modern theories of government and the relationship between citizens and the state.

Hobbes also believed that humans were inherently selfish and competitive, and that this led to a state of constant conflict and war. His theory of the state of nature, a hypothetical scenario in which there is no governing authority, is a bleak and pessimistic view of human nature. However, Hobbes argued that this state of nature could be avoided through the creation of a strong, centralized government that could enforce order and prevent conflict.

In addition to his political philosophy, Hobbes made significant contributions to the fields of psychology and ethics. He believed that all human actions were motivated by self-interest, and that moral behavior was not based on inherent goodness or virtue, but rather on the desire to avoid punishment and gain reward. This view of ethics, known as ethical egoism, challenged traditional moral theories and remains a subject of debate among philosophers today.

Hobbes was also an extraordinary writer and communicator. His works are written in a clear and concise style, making his ideas accessible to a wide audience. His use of the English language was innovative for his time, and his influence on the development of modern English cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, Thomas Hobbes is an extraordinary figure in the history of philosophy. His ideas about the social contract, the state of nature, human nature, and ethics have had a profound impact on political and moral philosophy, and continue to be studied and debated today. His clear and concise writing style and innovative use of the English language make his works accessible and engaging to a wide audience, cementing his status as one of the most important philosophers of the early modern period.

Thomas Hobbes for Children

Thomas Hobbes was a very important thinker who lived a long time ago. He believed that people are naturally selfish and want to do what's best for themselves. This can sometimes make people fight and argue with each other, which can be really bad.

So, he came up with an idea called the "social contract". This means that people agree to follow rules and be nice to each other in exchange for protection and safety. It's kind of like making a deal with your friends to play a game nicely and not cheat, so that everyone has a good time.

Hobbes also believed that having a strong and fair leader, like a king or queen, is really important to make sure everyone follows the rules and stays safe. This way, people don't have to worry about fighting and can focus on living their lives happily.

Overall, Hobbes was a smart guy who had a lot of good ideas about how to make sure everyone gets along and stays safe.

Some Thomas Hobbes Quotes Explained

"The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." - This quote is from Hobbes's book "Leviathan" and refers to his view of the state of nature, a hypothetical scenario in which there is no governing authority. Hobbes believed that in such a state, people would be in a constant state of war and life would be terrible. This quote is often cited to highlight Hobbes's pessimistic view of human nature and the need for a strong government to keep society stable.

"The right of nature...is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life." - In "Leviathan," Hobbes argues that the state of nature is a state of war in which individuals have the right to use any means necessary to protect themselves. This quote highlights Hobbes's belief that self-preservation is the most important human instinct.

"Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues." - Hobbes believed that in a state of war, there are no rules and anything goes. This quote highlights his belief that in such a scenario, the use of force and deception are considered virtues, or positive qualities, because they are necessary for survival.

"No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." - This quote is from the opening of "Leviathan" and describes Hobbes's view of the state of nature. He believed that without the social contract and a strong government, human life would be miserable and dangerous.

"Leisure is the mother of philosophy." - This quote is from Hobbes's book "De Cive" and suggests that having free time is important for thinking deeply and developing philosophical ideas. Hobbes believed that being able to think deeply about complex ideas was necessary for creating a strong government and maintaining social order.

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