POLITICAL THEORY - Thomas Hobbes

Summary

Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century philosopher, is renowned for his work 'Leviathan,' which argues for obedience to government authority, even imperfect, to avoid chaos. Influenced by the English Civil War, Hobbes rejected the 'divine right of kings,' proposing a social contract born from humanity's fear of a 'nasty, brutish, and short' state of nature. He advocated for absolute submission to rulers, with limited rights to protest, believing that any inconvenience caused by rulers was the people's fault for not being able to self-govern.

Takeaways

• 📚 Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his political philosophy.
• 🤔 Hobbes explored the balance between obeying rulers and the potential for revolution for a better world.
• 🔍 His philosophy was deeply influenced by the English Civil War, a conflict that occurred during his lifetime.
• 👴 Hobbes lived a long life, with most of his notable work being written after the age of 60.
• 😖 Hobbes was a peaceful man who despised violence, a sentiment stemming from his childhood experiences.
• 📖 'Leviathan,' published in 1651, is Hobbes's most famous work, advocating for obedience to government authority to avoid chaos.
• 👑 The 'divine right of kings' was the prevailing theory of the time, but Hobbes and others questioned its validity.
• 🤝 Hobbes rejected the divine right theory but feared the implications of the emerging 'social contract' theory.
• 🌳 He introduced the concept of a 'state of nature' to explain the necessity of government and the origins of authority.
• ⚔️ In Hobbes's view, life in a state of nature would be 'nasty, brutish, and short,' driving people to form governments.
• 🚫 Hobbes argued that people should only protest an absolute ruler if they were directly threatened with death.
• 🤔 Hobbes's philosophy suggests a pessimistic view of government but remains relevant in discussions of political stability and revolution.

Q & A

Who was Thomas Hobbes?

Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his work in political theory, especially his book 'Leviathan.'

What major event deeply influenced Hobbes's thinking?

The English Civil War, which began when Hobbes was 64 years old, deeply influenced his thinking and colored all his subsequent work.

At what age did Hobbes write the works for which he is most remembered?

Hobbes wrote the works for which he is most remembered, including 'Leviathan,' after the age of 60.

What is Hobbes's 'Leviathan' about?

'Leviathan' is a work by Hobbes that argues for the necessity of a strong government authority, even an imperfect one, to avoid chaos and bloodshed.

How did Hobbes view the divine right of kings?

Hobbes saw the divine right of kings as increasingly unpersuasive and recognized that it would become less convincing as religious observance declined.

What was Hobbes's stance on the social contract theory?

Hobbes was wary of the social contract theory because he feared it could lead people to depose rulers whenever they were dissatisfied, potentially causing chaos.

What was Hobbes's view on the state of nature?

Hobbes believed that the state of nature, without a central authority, would be chaotic, with humans descending into squabbling and infighting, making life 'nasty, brutish, and short.'

Why did Hobbes argue that people should obey their rulers?

Hobbes argued that people should obey their rulers to avoid the chaos of the state of nature, even if the ruler was imperfect or oppressive.

Under what circumstances did Hobbes believe people had the right to protest against their ruler?

Hobbes believed people had the right to protest against their ruler only if the ruler directly threatened their lives; otherwise, they should obey.

How is Hobbes's theory relevant today?

Hobbes's theory remains relevant today, especially when revolutions motivated by the search for liberty go awry, reminding us of the potential dangers of chaos without strong governance.