Thomas Hobbes's Theory Of Human Nature

I. Introduction

This paper discusses the political ideology of Thomas Hobbes, which had resulted from the civil war and its aftermath during the mid-17th-century England. Hobbes contributed his basic theoretical argument that there is no such thing as society with a collective interest, but rather a number of egoists and selfish human beings. Thomas Hobbes is assuredly one of the most controversial and frequently contested political philosophers of modern times. Although Hobbes is sometimes called the founder of the twentieth-century totalitarianism, Kleinerman believes him to be more a founder of liberalism (Kleinerman, 2006). This distinction clearly shows how disparate reactions to Hobbes’s theory may be found among the political philosophers. He undoubtedly left a significant mark on modern understanding of political theory and the highly debatable issues of political power, system of governance or the human nature (Sommerville, 2014).

Often portrayed as a strikingly original thinker, Hobbes was one of a number of early modern theorists who argued that sovereigns possess absolute power over their subjects and who especially favoured absolute monarchy. This paper surveys Hobbes’s views on absolute and indivisible sovereignty and on the origins and nature of government and the powers of sovereigns. This paper will examine his theory of human nature, leading to his views on the natural rights of mankind and ultimately, the link he creates between this and his view that