Thomas Hobbes
Essays

Thomas Hobbes is one of the most influential political philosophers in Western history, and his ideas appear across courses in political theory, philosophy, history, and ethics. His major work, Leviathan, provides the foundation for most academic engagement with his thought, particularly his account of human nature, the social contract, and the origins of legitimate government. Hobbes's argument that individuals are driven by desire and self-interest, and that sovereign power is necessary to prevent social collapse, makes him a central figure in debates about authority, justice, and the relationship between law and morality.

Student papers on Hobbes tend to fall into several recognizable categories. Comparative essays are especially common, placing Hobbes alongside thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Machiavelli, and figures from Calvinist political theory to contrast their views on human nature, the state, and individual rights. Close readings of Leviathan itself — including specific sections on sovereignty and the dissolution of commonwealths — form another significant approach. Some essays apply Hobbesian frameworks to contemporary problems like global warming or the ethics of legislating morality, while others situate Hobbes within broader historical movements such as the Enlightenment.

A strong essay on Hobbes requires a focused thesis about a specific concept — such as the relationship between law and justice, or the nature of sovereign power — rather than a broad biographical overview. Textual evidence drawn directly from Leviathan carries the most weight, and secondary sources should support rather than replace close reading. The most common pitfall is treating Hobbes's view of human nature as simply cynical without engaging seriously with his logical argument for why sovereign government benefits all individuals.