PHIL 1402 – Introduction to Philosophy

University of the People

Realist Thinker: Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher born during a time of civil war, has left a lasting

mark on political thought with his book "Leviathan." This paper explores Hobbes' ideas about

realism in philosophy, reflecting on how his time — a period filled with conflict and upheaval —

shaped his views. We will look at Hobbes' life and the era he lived in to better understand his

argument that a strong leader is necessary to maintain order and peace.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who is best known for his work

on political philosophy. Hobbes' 1651 book "Leviathan" established the foundation for most of

Western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory. He developed a

fundamental theory of legal positivism while emphasizing the social contract as the source of

society's moral and political obligations (Malcolm, 2005).

The Era and Culture of Civil War-Torn England

Hobbes lived during a time of immense upheaval — the English Civil War. This period

was marked by a complex sequence of armed conflicts and political machinations between

Parliamentarians and Royalists, which profoundly influenced his thought processes and

philosophical ideas. His experiences during the civil war led him to believe in the necessity of a

strong central authority to avoid the chaos and violence that he witnessed (Douglass, 2020).

Personal Interest in Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes is particularly interesting to me because of his controversial views on

human nature and government. His assertion that life in a state of nature would be "solitary, poor,
nasty, brutish, and short," and his idea that an absolute sovereign was necessary to prevent

anarchy, challenge our contemporary understanding of democracy and human rights. These ideas

provoke significant debate and reflection on the balance between authority and individual

freedom in modern societies.

Hobbes and Realism

Hobbes is often cast as one of the forefathers of political realism, particularly concerning

his views on human nature and the role of state power in society. Political realism in Hobbes'

work presents a stark view that the pursuit of power is the primary if not sole motivation of

human beings and states alike. This realist perspective is evident in his discussions on the state of

nature and the social contract, asserting that political order is not natural but an artificial

construct (Thivet, 2008).

Philosophical View of Thomas Hobbes on Realism

Thomas Hobbes, in his seminal work "Leviathan," presents a stark view of human nature

and the need for powerful governance, which has been influential in the development of political

realism. Hobbes' philosophy is built on a pessimistic view of human nature, where individuals

are driven primarily by self-interest and the fear of death. This fear, he argues, necessitates the

establishment of a powerful, absolute authority to prevent the natural state of war that would

otherwise exist among humans.

Key Examples of Hobbes' Realist View

State of Nature as a State of War: Hobbes famously describes the natural condition of

mankind as a state of war "of every man against every man," where life is "solitary, poor, nasty,

brutish, and short" (Hobbes, "Leviathan"). This depiction underlines his belief that humans are
naturally inclined to war and conflict due to their selfish desires and the scarcity of resources,

leading to a life of constant fear and insecurity.

Social Contract and the Leviathan

To escape this brutish condition, Hobbes proposes the idea of a social contract, where

individuals collectively agree to surrender their freedom to a sovereign in exchange for

protection and order. The sovereign, or Leviathan, becomes the ultimate authority, holding the

power to enforce peace and prevent the regression into the state of nature. This absolute power,

while seemingly authoritarian, is justified by Hobbes as the only reliable safeguard against the

all-against-all nature of human society (Ranjkesh & Geramian, 2021).

Realist Views on International Relations

Hobbes' ideas also extend to international relations, where he implies that states, like

individuals, are in a perpetual state of war in the absence of a global sovereign. Each state seeks

to preserve its own security and interests, leading to a self-help system characterized by power

politics and alliances based solely on necessity rather than moral or ideological affinities

(Kashyap, 2022).

Rationalism in Realism

While primarily a realist, Hobbes also integrates rationalist elements into his philosophy.

He argues that it is rational for individuals to seek peace through the social contract, recognizing

the mutual benefits of avoiding the destructive outcomes of the state of nature. This synthesis of

realism with rationalism highlights his nuanced understanding of human behavior and

governance (Yurdusev, 2006).

authority to prevent chaos and maintain order was profoundly influenced by the turbulent times

in which he lived, marked by civil war and political instability. His philosophy seems valid for

his era, where the absence of a strong government often led to violence and disorder. Hobbes'

theories reflect a pragmatic response to the socio-political crises of 17th-century England,

emphasizing the need for absolute authority to achieve peace and stability.

Could Hobbes' viewpoint withstand the test of time, particularly in contemporary settings

in my town Yangon, Myanmar? In my view, his perspectives on governance and human nature

would be both applicable and contentious today. Given Myanmar's recent history, characterized

by political unrest and conflicts, one might argue that Hobbes' call for a Leviathan could

resonate, suggesting that a strong leadership could stabilize the nation. However, his model of

absolute sovereignty could also be problematic, as modern democratic values prioritize human

rights, individual freedoms, and the rule of law, which stand in contrast to Hobbesian

authoritarianism.

Moreover, the rise of global interconnectedness and the digital age have introduced

complexities that Hobbes' 17th-century model could not have anticipated. Issues such as digital

privacy, cyber-security, and international law require more nuanced governance structures than a

single sovereign power. Therefore, while Hobbes' insights into human nature and the role of state

power may still hold some relevance, the application of his authoritarian solutions would likely

be viewed as overly simplistic and potentially oppressive in a modern democracy like Yangon,

where there is a strong push for democratic freedoms and human rights.
 Thus, while Hobbes' ideas might provide a framework for thinking about the necessity of

order and the risks of political instability, his solutions might not align well with contemporary

values and the complexities of modern statecraft in places like Yangon, Myanmar.

Conclusion

Thomas Hobbes' ideas, formed during the chaotic 17th century in England, continue to

spark discussions today. His belief that humans are naturally self-centered and that strong

authority is needed to maintain social order was influenced by his experiences of civil unrest.

While his views were well-suited to his time, applying them to today's world, such as in modern

Myanmar, raises both agreements and challenges. His theories support the idea of a strong leader

during unstable times but conflict with today’s democratic values like human rights and

individual freedoms. As we evaluate Hobbes' contributions, it's clear that his thoughts on power

and governance still encourage us to critically assess how our societies are structured and how

they protect both community and individual rights.

Hobbes, T. "Leviathan".

Ranjkesh, M. J., & Geramian, S. S. (2021). Thomas Hobbes and International Relations:

Realistic or rationalist?.

https://jpir.journals.umz.ac.ir/article_3268_3b6c3d77c0f30dfd6c725fe973512d58.pdf

Kashyap, S. (2022). Tracing Hobbes in Realist International Relations Theory. https://www.e-

ir.info/2022/02/22/tracing-hobbes-in-realist-international-relations-theory/

Yurdusev, A. N. (2006). Thomas Hobbes and international relations: from realism to rationalism.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357710600696191

Douglass, R. (2020). Hobbes and political realism. European Journal of Political Theory.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1474885116677481

Malcolm, N. (2005). What Hobbes really said. The National Interest.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/42897583

Thivet, D. (2008). Thomas Hobbes: A Philosopher of War or Peace? British Journal for the

History of Philosophy. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09608780802407407