Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Question 1

Hobbes - Human Nature

Answer 1

Thomas Hobbes had a fundamentally pessimistic view of human nature. He believed that humans are naturally selfish, driven by desires for power and survival. In his seminal work Leviathan, Hobbes argued that in a state of nature, without a governing authority, human life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” This dire perspective on human nature underpinned his belief in the necessity of a strong, centralised authority to maintain order and prevent chaos.

Question 2

Hobbes - Society

Answer 2

Hobbes viewed society as an artificial construct that arises out of necessity. To escape the anarchic state of nature, individuals collectively agree to form a society through a social contract. This contract involves the surrender of certain freedoms in exchange for the security and stability provided by a common authority. Society, in Hobbes’s view, is thus a means to an end—avoiding the natural state of war.

Question 3

Hobbes - The State

Answer 3

According to Hobbes, the state must wield absolute power to enforce laws and ensure peace. He advocated for a powerful sovereign, or Leviathan, whose authority is derived from the social contract. This sovereign’s primary role is to protect citizens from the inherent dangers of their own nature, ensuring order and preventing the return to the state of nature. Hobbes believed that a strong, undivided government is essential for preventing civil war and anarchy.

Question 4

Hobbes - The Economy

Answer 4

Hobbes did not focus extensively on economic issues, but his ideas imply that the state has a role in regulating the economy to maintain stability. While he did not advocate for specific economic policies, the overarching need for order and security in his philosophy suggests that economic activity should be regulated to prevent the kind of disorder that could lead to societal collapse.

The state’s role in the economy includes preventing monopolies and fraud, ensuring economic stability, and intervening when necessary to prevent disruptions like shortages or inflation. Taxation is also seen as a necessary function of the state to support essential services and infrastructure. Thus, Hobbes’ economic views emphasize the importance of a powerful state to regulate economic behavior and maintain public order, ensuring that economic activities contribute to the overall peace and security of society.