Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes: A Pioneering Philosopher
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Thomas Hobbes
Common Aliases: Often referred to simply as Hobbes
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: April 5, 1588
Death Date: December 4, 1679
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: English
Profession(s): Philosopher, Political Theorist, Mathematician
Early Life and Background
Thomas Hobbes was born in Westport, a small parish in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England. His early life was marked by the tumultuous political climate of England, which would later influence his philosophical outlook. Hobbes was the second child of Thomas Hobbes Sr., a vicar, and his wife. His father abandoned the family, leaving young Hobbes to be raised by his uncle, who provided for his education.
Hobbes showed an early aptitude for learning, attending the local church school before moving on to Magdalen Hall, Oxford, at the age of 14. His education at Oxford was steeped in the classical curriculum of the time, focusing on the works of Aristotle. However, Hobbes found the scholastic philosophy taught there to be unsatisfactory, which spurred his interest in the new scientific ideas emerging in Europe.
Major Accomplishments
Thomas Hobbes is best known for his contributions to political philosophy, particularly his development of social contract theory. His work laid the groundwork for much of Western political thought, influencing both contemporaries and later thinkers. Hobbes was a pioneer in applying a scientific approach to the study of human nature and society, which was revolutionary during his time.
In addition to his philosophical endeavors, Hobbes was also a mathematician and contributed to the field of geometry. His intellectual pursuits were diverse, and he engaged with many of the leading thinkers of his day, including René Descartes and Galileo Galilei.
Notable Works or Actions
Hobbes's most famous work, "Leviathan," published in 1651, is a cornerstone of political philosophy. In this seminal text, Hobbes argues for a strong, centralized authority to avoid the chaos and violence of a state of nature, which he famously described as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." "Leviathan" presents the idea of a social contract, where individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for security and order.
Another significant work by Hobbes is "De Cive" (1642), which further explores his ideas on civil society and governance. His writings on natural law and human behavior were groundbreaking, challenging the prevailing notions of his time and advocating for a rational, scientific approach to understanding society.
Impact and Legacy
Thomas Hobbes's impact on political philosophy is profound and enduring. His ideas on the social contract influenced the development of modern political systems and the formation of governments. Hobbes's work laid the foundation for later philosophers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant, who expanded and critiqued his theories.
Hobbes's emphasis on the necessity of a strong central authority has been both praised and criticized, but it remains a central topic in discussions of political theory. His work continues to be studied and debated, reflecting its lasting relevance in understanding the dynamics of power, authority, and human nature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Thomas Hobbes is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive analysis of human nature and his pioneering ideas on governance and society. His assertion that life in a state of nature would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" captures the essence of his view on the necessity of a social contract and a powerful sovereign to maintain order.
Hobbes's work resonates with readers because it addresses fundamental questions about the nature of power, authority, and human behavior. His ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner has ensured that his writings remain a vital part of philosophical discourse. Hobbes's influence extends beyond philosophy, impacting political science, sociology, and even economics, making him a figure of enduring significance in the intellectual history of the Western world.
Quotes by Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes's insights on:
The flesh endures the storms of the present alone the mind, those of the past and future as well as the present. Gluttony is a lust of the mind.
Prophecy is not an art, nor (when it is taken for prediction) a constant vocation, but an extraordinary and temporary employment from God, most often of good men, but sometimes also of the wicked.
Science is the knowledge of Consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another: by which, out of that we can presently do, we know how to do something else when we will, or the like, another time.
But yet they that have no Science, are in better, and nobler condition with their naturall Prudence; than men, that by their mis-reasoning, or by trusting them that reason wrong, fall upon false and absurd generall rules.
A man’s conscience and his judgment is the same thing; and as the judgment, so also the conscience, may be erroneous.
Emulation is grief arising from seeing one’s self, exceeded or excelled by his concurrent, together with hope to equal or exceed him in time to come, by his own ability. But envy is the same grief joined with pleasure conceived in the imagination of some ill-fortune that may befall him.