Question

There seems to be an implicit assumption in Western philosophy that social contract theorizing begun -- or only begun in earnest -- with Hobbes. As an example, this Stanford Encyclopedia entry assumes the earliest social contract account worth mentioning is Hobbes'.

However, the idea wasn't new in England (the Civil Wars discussion, for example, mention related ideas) and I have a faint recollection that Grotius was on the same track, though possibly not using it in the same way (I can't remember the little I knew on Grotius any longer).

Thus my question: what other noteworthy social contract theories were made famous before Hobbes'? Was there any that influenced him in particular?

Answer 1

Before Thomas Hobbes, social contract theory had ancient roots in works by Plato, Socrates, and texts like The Mahāvastu.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the development of social contract theory prior to Thomas Hobbes. There were indeed notable theories before Hobbes, one being from the ancient era, articulated by Plato and Socrates, and later in the Buddhist text The Mahāvastu. Additionally, Hugo Grotius, a Dutch philosopher, considerably influenced the foundations of international law and natural law theories, which share similarities with social contract theory. Grotius believed in natural society and laws that guide human conduct, laying the groundwork for later social contract theorists. However, Hobbes' Leviathan (1651) is often recognized for its detailed portrayal of human life in a state of nature and the transition to a structured society through a social contract.

Hobbes described the state of nature as 'nasty, brutish, and short,' necessitating individuals to enter into a social contract to ensure their security and order under an all-powerful sovereign. Before Hobbes, however, the Enlightenment period was also shaped by ideas of natural laws and rights, which Hobbes integrated into his social contract theory. Although Hobbes is credited with a formal and systematic articulation of social contract theory, it's clear that the concept has various sources and predated his work, thus influencing the evolution of the theory.