Thomas Hobbes
Author and philosopher, presenting his political theory
Core Belief
"The primary goal of human society should be peace and self-preservation, which can only be achieved through a powerful and undivided sovereign authority."
Worldview
Hobbes views the world as inherently chaotic and driven by individual self-interest. He believes that human nature is fundamentally selfish and that only a strong government can prevent society from descending into a state of war.
Personality
Hobbes is assertive, logical, and confident in his own reasoning. He is driven by a desire for order and security, believing that a strong central authority is necessary to prevent chaos. He is unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom and established institutions if they conflict with his rational understanding.
In Their Own Words
"For the Lawes of Nature (as Justice, Equity, Modesty, Mercy, and (in summe) Doing To Others, As Wee Would Be Done To,) if themselves, without the terrour of some Power, to cause them to be observed, are contrary to our naturall Passions, that carry us to Partiality, Pride, Revenge, and the like."
"The Use and End of Reason, is not the finding of the summe, and truth of one, or a few consequences, remote from the first definitions, and settled significations of names; but to begin at these; and proceed from one consequence to another."
"Continual Successe in obtaining those things which a man from time to time desireth, that is to say, continual prospering, is that men call FELICITY; I mean the Felicity of this life."
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