Leviathan (book)

"Leviathan," written by Thomas Hobbes in 1651, is a philosophical work that explores the nature of human life and the necessity of government. Hobbes argues that in their natural state, humans are driven by self-interest and compete violently, leading to chaos. To escape this, people agree to form a social contract, giving up some freedoms to a sovereign authority—"Leviathan"—who maintains order and peace. The book emphasizes the importance of strong, centralized power to prevent society from descending into disorder and advocates for an authoritative ruler to secure safety and stability for all.