Running head: HOBBESIAN AUTHORITY 1

THOMAS HOBBES ON AUTHORITY

Name

Institution

Instructor

Course
HOBBESIAN AUTHORITY 2

Introduction

As the acknowledged founder of modern political philosophy, Hobbes’ works on

furthering our understanding of motivations and our ways of life. Leviathan, penned in the mid-

1600sis a treatise on the proper function and duty of civil governments. Orienting his ideas on

the materialist views popular in the time, Leviathan approaches the idea of government and

authority and offers a view acceptable to the times he lived in. In context, Hobbes’ work offered

an emerging Europe an acceptable view on the nature of authority that did not derive from the

ancient world’s ideals of ‘divine rule’. As a result, the text offers contemporary readers an

insight into 16th century life as well as the impact his work had upon the formulation of society as

currently experienced. This short essay aims to link the two sections on ‘Man’ and ‘the

Commonwealth’ and using these display that Hobbes’ intent on showing the similarity between

his Commonwealth and human nature aimed at defending the establishment of authority in a

world plagued by strife.

Part 1: Of Man Chapter 10-16

Hobbes begins his treatise on the nature of authority by remarking upon man’s ordinary

state of nature: conflict. Hobbes refers to man’s primitive past and points out that in the state of

Nature, the strong seek dominion over the weak. Hobbes’ thought processes on this are evident

when one considers the nature of society: men come together in order to become stronger.

Hobbes explains this effect by remarking upon man’s innate selfishness and the manner in which

conflicts arise when more than one person desires the same thing.
HOBBESIAN AUTHORITY 3

Hobbes’ introductory passages defend the establishment of governments by describing

the origins of such foundations of society. In a state of anarchy where governance ceases

existence, conflicts arise since men owe no allegiance to each other. It is for this reason that

Hobbes claims men formed governments and societies. Men naturally form governments in order

to guide his interactions with other people in society, not to impose sanctions on others

(Leviathan, xiv.4). As a result, Hobbes’ reasoning resonates with contemporary political thought

when one considers conflict areas in Africa and other regions in the world where competing

desires and interests for natural resources fight. According to Hobbes, the primary reason for

such conflicts is the absence of government for the regulation of resources.

Part 2: The Commonwealth Chapter 17-31

Hobbes thus develops the social contract theory by pointing to the manner in which men

form associations with each other. He defends the nature of authority by displaying that men

devolve upon other men the position of authority due to the precepts of the social contract.

Hobbes goes further to display the manner in which men seek measures to create societies and

governments on one hand while always seeking means to remove the shackles of governance.

The simple reason for this is of course man’s natural selfishness and because of the fear of

conflict, men form governments with leaders empowered to enforce the contracts.

It is from this point that Hobbes develops his reasonable views of the advantages of

authority. To Hobbes, authority is an aspect of the social contract where certain individuals in

society are imparted the power to enforce the laws men make for their judgment. These

individuals are not special as the case of royalty: whether through choice via consent or

acquisition though force, authority devolves upon these individuals. To Hobbes, the manner in
HOBBESIAN AUTHORITY 4

which power devolved onto these individuals is immaterial; the most important point to

remember is that societies require leaders to guide actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hobbes’ work as represented in Leviathan informs readers on the manner

in which governments form among societies. Moreover, the interplay of relationships between

leaders and followers is understood while his explanations on why men obey are clear. While

Hobbes’ reasoning on the obligations of the conquered seems insufficient, the consequences of

not bowing to authority are clear: the conquered has the obligation of loyalty to the conqueror

while the conqueror allows the privilege of life to the conquered. As a result, Leviathan offers

insightful revelations on historical events such as the colonization of Africa and the Americas as

well as the French, American and Russian revolutions. In summary, the text is a worthy read for

any seeking an understanding in historical and political precepts of the western world.
HOBBESIAN AUTHORITY 5

References

Hobbes, Thomas [1651/1668]. (1994). Leviathan. Edwin Curley (ed.). Indianapolis: Hackett

Publishing.