Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) profoundly impacted political philosophy with his seminal work, "Leviathan" (1651). Born in Westport, England, he lived through turbulent periods including the English Civil War. His philosophy emphasized the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid the chaos of the state of nature, which he famously described as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Hobbes also contributed to the development of social contract theory, asserting that individuals consent to surrender some freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for security. In addition to "Leviathan," his notable works include "De Cive" (1642) and "Behemoth" (1668). Hobbes's ideas laid foundational principles for modern political science.