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Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, political theorist, scientist, and historian best known for his 1651 work *Leviathan*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, political theorist, scientist, and historian best known for his 1651 work *Leviathan*. He is a major figure in modern political philosophy, especially for his arguments about sovereignty, social contract theory, and the state of nature. His work also engaged with materialism, empiricism, and natural philosophy.

Early life and education

Hobbes was born in 1588 in Westport, Wiltshire, and studied at Oxford before becoming a tutor to the Cavendish family. He later travelled in Europe and engaged with leading intellectual currents of his time.

Political philosophy

Hobbes developed a theory of government based on the need for peace and security. In *Leviathan*, he argued that individuals surrender some freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for protection and order.

Major works

His best-known writings include *The Elements of Law* (1640), *De Cive* (1642), and *Leviathan* (1651). He also translated Thucydides and wrote on history, law, and natural philosophy.

Legacy

Hobbes remains influential in discussions of state power, authority, human nature, and the origins of political society. His arguments continue to be studied in political theory and philosophy.

Key facts

  • Hobbes is best known for *Leviathan* (1651), his most influential work on political authority and social order.
  • He argued that people in a state of nature would live in insecurity and conflict unless governed by a strong sovereign.
  • His thought is associated with social contract theory and absolutist political theory.
  • He also wrote on philosophy, history, mathematics, and natural science.
  • Modern scholarship places him among the central figures in the development of modern political philosophy.
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Canadian context

Hobbes is widely taught in Canadian schools and universities as a foundational thinker in political philosophy, especially in courses on the state, authority, and social contract theory.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thomas Hobbes?
Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher and political theorist best known for *Leviathan* and for shaping modern ideas about sovereignty and the social contract.
What is Thomas Hobbes most famous for?
He is most famous for *Leviathan* (1651), which presents his theory that strong political authority is needed to prevent disorder and conflict.
What did Hobbes mean by the state of nature?
Hobbes used the term to describe a hypothetical condition without government, where human life would be insecure and conflict-prone.
Was Thomas Hobbes an absolutist?
Yes. Hobbes defended strong sovereign authority and is commonly associated with absolutist political theory.
What are Hobbes’s other major works?
Other major works include *The Elements of Law* (1640) and *De Cive* (1642), both important to his moral and political philosophy.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Hobbes
    Supports: Birth and death details, occupation, and identification of Hobbes as an English philosopher best known for political philosophy and *Leviathan*.
  2. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy — https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes/
    Supports: Hobbes’s political philosophy, materialist and empiricist views, and broader intellectual interests.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Thomas-Hobbes
    Supports: Summary of *Leviathan*, social contract argument, support for absolutism, and historical context.
  4. BBC History — https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/hobbes_thomas.shtml
    Supports: Hobbes’s status as an English philosopher and the continuing influence of his political philosophy.
  5. Hertford College, University of Oxford — https://www.hertford.ox.ac.uk/associate/thomas-hobbes-1588-1679/
    Supports: Education at Oxford and biographical background.