Final answer:
Thomas Hobbes' conception of the state of nature is a condition before a government exists, characterized by chaos and violence as individuals fight for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state of nature, according to Thomas Hobbes, refers to the condition before a government exists. Hobbes believed that life in a state of nature would be chaotic and violent, with everyone fighting for their own survival. In this state, there would be no laws or rules to govern people's behavior, leading to a constant war of all against all.