What was the historical significance of the political work of Hobbes?
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher and political writer, best known for his book “Leviathan” (1651), in which he set out his political views on society and how governments should conduct themselves. Hobbes was writing at a very important point in history: England was going through the turmoil of civil war and this was a major influence on Hobbes’ political work. Also, Hobbes was writing just before the period known as the enlightenment and helped to sculpt the views of many other political theorists. The political work of Hobbes involved writings, being involved in political society and institutions and tutoring other intellectuals.
The key ideas, that Hobbes describes in Leviathan and through out his political life are; materialism, contractarianism, utilitarianism, and egoism. Hobbe’s thought on these ideas influenced many other thinkers and are key to understanding Hobbes thought. Egoism, is central to Hobbe’s thinking, as he believed that individuals are driven by their own self-interest. Regarding materialism, Hobbes believed that human decisions and interactions should not be based on the pursuit of material goods. The theory of contractarianism, is popular among many other theorists such as; Locke, …show more content…
Hobbesian theory states that equality needs to be protected and that is why it is written into law and the US Constitution. Whilst the American founding fathers rejected Hobbes’ idea of absolute monarchy, and there is a Locke influence, there is a definite influence of Hobbes theories in the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and many other influential historical
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher and political writer, best known for his book “Leviathan” (1651), in which he set out his political views on society and how governments should conduct themselves. Hobbes was writing at a very important point in history: England was going through the turmoil of civil war and this was a major influence on Hobbes’ political work. Also, Hobbes was writing just before the period known as the enlightenment and helped to sculpt the views of many other political theorists. The political work of Hobbes involved writings, being involved in political society and institutions and tutoring other intellectuals.
The key ideas, that Hobbes describes in Leviathan and through out his political life are; materialism, contractarianism, utilitarianism, and egoism. Hobbe’s thought on these ideas influenced many other thinkers and are key to understanding Hobbes thought. Egoism, is central to Hobbe’s thinking, as he believed that individuals are driven by their own self-interest. Regarding materialism, Hobbes believed that human decisions and interactions should not be based on the pursuit of material goods. The theory of contractarianism, is popular among many other theorists such as; Locke, …show more content…
Hobbesian theory states that equality needs to be protected and that is why it is written into law and the US Constitution. Whilst the American founding fathers rejected Hobbes’ idea of absolute monarchy, and there is a Locke influence, there is a definite influence of Hobbes theories in the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and many other influential historical