An Analysis of the Political Philosophy of Thomas Hobbes

Abstract

Thomas Hobbes lived through political strife, civil war, social disorder; Such circumstances influenced his political views. To understand the content of his political philosophy, in addition to taking into account the time of his life, his views on the human nature must not be forgotten. In fact, these two aspects are key to understanding his intentions and goals in forming a totalitarian state. Hobbes tries to start his ideas about political philosophy with an intellectual assumption, “The natural condition of mankind" and gradually enter the essence of what he wanted to achieve, which is the “commonwealth”. A strong state, where someone rules and dominates, but a state based on social contract, in order to meet the public interest and the demands of citizens. In order to analyze the political philosophy of this great philosopher, the analytical method has been adopted, trying to analyze the reasons that led Hobbes to consider the existence of the commonwealth as necessary and compulsory. How does he provide rational evidence to justify absolute power? How does it define the rights and duties of citizens? What are the duties and rights of the ruler? And what does it base the principles of the state on? An attempt has been made to answer these questions within the framework of Hobbes' political philosophy, especially in his views on Leviathan, by analyzing his texts and using the analysis made for him.