'The life of man, solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short.'
Originally published in 1651, Leviathan is a hugely influential work of political philosophy, and is still widely read and studied to this day.
Written during the English Civil War, of which Hobbes had first-hand experience, Leviathan argues for political rule by an absolute authority. Hobbes claimed that human nature was, at its core, ruthless and brutal: people were selfish, self-interested and likely to cause conflict for one another. In order to combat this chaos, individuals ought to submit to a sovereign a 'Leviathan' in exchange for order, security and peace. A powerful argument which lay the groundwork for modern social contract theory, Leviathan has influenced government structure across the world.
Thomas Hobbes (1588 1679) was an English philosopher, scientist and historian. He is best known for his book, Leviathan, in which he pioneers a new interpretation of social contract theory. Although a controversial figure during his life, his work has profoundly influenced our understanding of political philosophy and, more broadly, human nature.
