Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century political philosopher, explores the need for surrendering individual freedom to a powerful sovereign for societal order post the English Civil War. Discussed are his radical views on human nature, the symbolism in his Leviathan, and the concept of fear as the foundation of political theory.
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Absolutism as Rational Choice
Hobbes's core political theory revolves around the rationality of surrendering all rights to a sovereign.
This surrender, he argues, is the only escape from a state of nature characterized by constant war.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hobbes's Unlikely Start
Hobbes's long career began unusually, tutoring a student only slightly younger than himself.
His association with the Devonshire household lasted nearly 70 years, shaping his perspective on power and order.
insights INSIGHT
Thucydides' Influence on Hobbes
Hobbes translated Thucydides to understand democracy's function, particularly during times of political upheaval.
Thucydides' depiction of power politics in international relations informed Hobbes's concept of the state of nature.
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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the great 17th century political philosopher Thomas Hobbes who argued: "During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man". For Hobbes, the difference between order and disorder was stark. In the state of nature, ungoverned man lived life in "continual fear, and danger of violent death". The only way out of this "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" existence, he said, was to relinquish all your freedom and submit yourself to one all powerful absolute sovereign. Hobbes' proposal, contained in his controversial and now classic text, Leviathan, was written just as England was readjusting to life after the Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell. In fact, in his long life Hobbes’ allegiance switched from Charles I to Cromwell and back to Charles II. But how did the son of a poor clergyman end up as the most radical thinker of his day? Why did so many of Hobbes' ideas run counter to the prevailing fondness for constitutionalism with a limited monarchy? And why is he regarded by so many political philosophers as an important theorist when so few find his ideas convincing? With Quentin Skinner, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; David Wootton, Professor of History at the University of York; Annabel Brett, Senior Lecturer in Political Thought and Intellectual History at Cambridge University.
In Our Time