Important works
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes' magnum opus Leviathan from 1651 is one of the most influential works of political philosophy. It was written at a time of political upheaval, marked by the English Civil War, and offers a radical view of human nature and the foundations of state order. Hobbes' central thesis is that man is inherently selfish and conflictual, making a strong state necessary to ensure peace and stability.
Hobbes describes man's state of nature as a situation without government, in which life is "solitary, miserable, disgusting, beastly and short". Without binding laws or authority, everyone is at war with everyone else (bellum omnium contra omnes). According to Hobbes, this state of insecurity and fear leads to the rational insight that it is better to give up one's own freedom in favor of a social contract.
The social contract is at the heart of Hobbes' theory. Individuals transfer their natural rights to a sovereign - a central, absolute ruling power that stands above all. This sovereign, which Hobbes metaphorically refers to as "Leviathan", guarantees security and order by enforcing laws and ensuring the protection of citizens. In return, the subjects are obliged to obey the sovereign.
Hobbes justifies the absolute power of the sovereign by arguing that without a strong central authority, the state of nature would return. It is irrelevant whether the sovereign is a monarch, an assembly or another institution. What is decisive is his unrestricted power, which must not be questioned.
Hobbes was criticized for his gloomy view of human nature and his defence of absolute rule, which can easily lead to tyranny. Nevertheless, Leviathan laid the foundation for modern debates about the state, society and individual freedom. Hobbes' work marks the transition from medieval thought to the Enlightenment and influenced philosophers such as Locke and Rousseau, who developed or challenged his ideas.
To summarize, in Leviathan Hobbes presents an uncompromising vision of an orderly state based on reason and self-preservation. His analysis of the balance of power between individuals and the state remains relevant to this day and encourages us to think about the balance between freedom and security.