Thomas Hobbes

By: Angelique Hernandez, Daisy Hernandez, Vesna Luna, Vanessa

Martinez

Early Life★ On April 5, 1588 Thomas Hobbes

was born in Westport, England. ★ His education was taught by his

uncle. ★ He was known as an English

philosopher, scientist, historian, and for his political philosophy.

★ Hobbes went to Magdalen Hall in Oxford to study at the age of 14.

★ “He was known for his views on how humans could thrive in harmony while avoiding the perils and fear of societal conflict.”

Main Beliefs ★ The horrors of the English Civil War convinced him that all humans

were naturally selfish and wicked.

★ He thought that without a government there would be “war...of every man against every man,” and life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

★ He created the social contract where he argued that in order to escape a bleak life, people had to hand over their rights to a strong ruler and in exchange they gain law and order.

★ He believed the best type of government was an absolute monarchy.

Published Works★ Leviathan (1651)

was a book about his beliefs on absolute monarchy and social contract.

★ In his book he stated, “natural condition of mankind is what would exist if there were no government.”

Influences/Legacies★ During this time, absolute monarchs used Hobbes’ ideas to

support their argument towards absolute monarchy.

★ His idea of people being selfish, wicked, and his thoughts on the role government played led John Locke to investigate more.

★ After the Revolution, his ideas influenced federalists in arguments to to adopt the Constitution.

★ His theory on the social contract helped influence the U.S Constitution.

Famous Quotes/Fun Facts★ “

It is not wisdom but authority that makes a law.”

★ “The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.”

★ “The right of nature... is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life.”

★ He was the tutor of the exiled

prince of Wales, Charles 2nd.

★ He said once that his mother gave

birth to twins, himself and fear.

★ Hobbes last words were " I am

about to take my last voyage, a

great leap into the dark.”

Works Cited

★ http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-hobbes-9340461#syno

psis

★ http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_hobbes.ht

ml

★ https://sites.google.com/site/lockevshobbeswhowillwin/home/who

-was-john-locke/john-lockes-ideas/who-was-thomas-hobbes/thom

as-hobbeeas

★ http://thomashobbes1588.weebly.com/fun-facts.html