What was Thomas Hobbes’s view of human nature and what conclusions did he draw from it about the best form of government?
Covenant, amongst themselves, to be obedient and so again it is injustice. . . . And whereas
to any other, in any thing whatsoever, with- some men have pretended for their disobedience
out his permission. And therefore, they that are to their Soveraign, a new Covenant, made, not
subjects to a Monarch, cannot without his leave with men, but with God; this also is unjust: for
cast offhlonarchy, and return to the confusion of there is no Covenant with God, but by mediaa disunited Multitude; nor transferre their Per- tion of some body that representeth God’s
son from him that beareth it, to another Man, or Person; which none doth but God’s Lieutenother Assembly of men: for they . . . are bound, ant, who hath the Soveraignty under God.
every man to every man, to [acknowledge] . . . But this pretence of Covenant with God, is
that he that already is their Soveraigne, shall do, so evident a [lie], even in the pretenders
and judge fit to be done; so that [those who do own consciences, that it is not onely an act
not obey] break their Covenant made to that of an unjust, but also of a vile, and unmanly
man, which is injustice: and they have also every disposition. . . . man given the Soveraignty to him that beareth . . . Consequently none of {the sovereign’s]
their Person; and “therefore if they depose him, Subjects, by any pretence of forfeiture, can be
they take from him that which is his ‘own, freed from his Subjection..
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What was Thomas Hobbes’s view of human nature and what conclusions did he
draw from it about the best form of government?
2. What has been the political legacy of Hobbes’s notion of the state?
