Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Thomas Hobbes: An English philosopher of the 17th century. He is known for his materialist philosophy and his political theory, which argued that a strong, absolute sovereign power is necessary to maintain social order and prevent the chaos of human conflict.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Hobbes is used to refer to the philosopher himself, his ideas, or his body of work. It is always capitalized.
  • Example: The political theories of Hobbes were influential in the development of modern political thought.
  • Example: We studied Hobbes in our philosophy class this week.

Advanced Usage

• Hobbesian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, especially the view that human life without government is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
  • The anarchic situation was described in starkly Hobbesian terms.

Variants and Related Words

• Hobbesian (adjective): Of or relating to Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical doctrines.
• Hobbesianism (noun): The philosophical system or principles associated with Thomas Hobbes.

Synonyms

• Thomas Hobbes (full name)
• The author of Leviathan (his most famous work)

Related Concepts and Phrases

• Leviathan: The title of Hobbes's most famous book (published 1651), which outlines his social contract theory.
  • In Leviathan, Hobbes argues for a powerful sovereign.
• State of nature: A central concept in Hobbes's philosophy, describing the hypothetical condition of humanity before the establishment of society and government.
  • Hobbes famously described the state of nature as a war of all against all.
• Social contract: The theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some freedoms to a governing authority in exchange for order and security, a theory Hobbes helped develop.
  • Hobbes's version of the social contract requires individuals to submit to an absolute ruler.

Noun

1. English materialist and political philosopher who advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings (1588-1679)