Hobbes, Thomas

Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher best known for his work on political philosophy. He argued that humans are naturally self-interested and driven by a desire for power, which can lead to chaos without regulations. To maintain order, Hobbes believed people should consent to a strong central authority, or government, to enforce laws and protect society. His most famous work, *Leviathan*, describes this social contract, emphasizing the importance of a powerful ruler to prevent society from descending into disorder. Hobbes’s ideas laid the groundwork for modern political thought about authority and governance.