Thomas Hobbes believed that humans are naturally selfish and driven by self-interest, which he famously summarized in his concept of the "state of nature." In this hypothetical state of nature, Hobbes argued that life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" because individuals would constantly compete for limited resources, leading to a chaotic and violent existence.
To address this problem, Hobbes proposed the idea of a social contract in which individuals voluntarily give up some of their natural rights and agree to be governed by a sovereign authority, such as a king, in exchange for protection and security. Here's why he advocated for an absolute monarch (a king) to hold this power:
1. Centralized Authority: Hobbes believed that a single, absolute authority was necessary to maintain order and prevent the constant conflict that would arise in a state of nature. An absolute monarch, in his view, could provide strong and decisive leadership.
2. Leviathan: Hobbes referred to this absolute authority as the "Leviathan," a metaphorical representation of the all-powerful state. The Leviathan's authority was absolute and unchecked, which Hobbes saw as crucial for maintaining order and preventing rebellion.
3. Social Order: Hobbes argued that in the absence of a strong central authority, human nature's selfish tendencies would lead to constant conflict and insecurity. The king's power would keep this potential chaos in check by enforcing laws and maintaining social order.
4. Security: Hobbes believed that the primary role of government, under an absolute monarch, was to provide security and protect individuals from the violence and uncertainty of the state of nature.
In summary, Hobbes advocated for an absolute monarchy because he believed that strong, centralized authority was necessary to curb human selfishness, maintain social order, and provide security. In his view, without such authority, life would be characterized by constant conflict and insecurity due to the inherent selfishness of human nature.