Hobbes
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Definition
- 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
- 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)