by Dyson Wells

Created on: September 01, 2010   Last Updated: September 27, 2010

Running head: THOMAS HOBBES AND THE FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT  
Thomas Hobbes and the Formation of Government

Thomas Hobbes and the Formation of Government Thomas Hobbes was a philosopher of the 17th Century who’s philosophical theories on
social behavior allowed him to develop groundbreaking theories concerning government. Hobbes sought to develop a strong, stable form of government which was incorruptible. To arrive at such a conclusion Hobbes analyzed in depth, complex issues such as human nature, sovereign powers, and social contracts.

Hobbes was born in April 5, 1588. Attending Oxford University, Hobbes was a well informed and educated man. In 1608 Hobbes earned his degree. The same year Hobbes was promptly requested to tutor the son of Lord Cavendish. Two years later Hobbes traveled the continent of Europe with his pupil in a quest to further enlighten himself and again alone in 1634. Through these tours, Hobbes was introduced to many of the teachings of other Eastern philosophers, including that of Sir Francis Bacon. It was not until he entered Paris however, that Hobbes began to analyze the world of philosophy. (Burtt- The English Philosophers from Bacon to Mill, 129). Hobbes became inspired due to the philosophic influences residing in Paris and the state of the English government; which later worsened and forced Hobbes to take refuge in France. The civil war which raged in England greatly influenced Hobbes works as he sought to develop the perfect government.

To analyze government, Hobbes first analyzed a time before government. Hobbes developed a theory on human nature which states that without an influencing society to conform to, man kind utilizes it’s own abilities to sustain the life of the individual, opposed to the community. Hobbes expresses the idea of natural rights, the liberty to utilize one’s power and will to survive, “The liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; own life and aptest means thereunto” (Hobbes- Leviathan, Chapter XIV) . As a result, natural rights also state that one has a right to everything, including the lives of others (Hobbes- Leviathan, Chapter XIII). Many philosophers such as Matthew H. Kramer criticized this theory because the idea that everyone has the right to survive, but also has a right to kill, in it’s self is a paradox, and therefore useless. Hobbes however, continued to expand on his ideas and created

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