Final answer:
Thomas Hobbes was influenced by the English Civil War and theorized that a leviathan, or strong central authority, is necessary to maintain social order; he heavily impacted subsequent political philosophy and the development of social contract theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Hobbes' Philosophical Influences
Thomas Hobbes, an English enlightenment thinker, developed key concepts in political theory during a tumultuous time in British history, marked by the English Civil War. Influenced by the chaotic state of nature he observed, which he described as 'nasty, brutish, and short,' Hobbes concluded that a powerful and absolute monarchy was necessary to maintain order and avoid anarchy. He witnessed the overthrow of a dictator and the reinstatement of a monarchy under a new social contract, which required a balance between governmental power and people's consent. This balance was enshrined in the English Bill of Rights. Hobbes' theory that the social contract involves people agreeing to an absolute sovereign for security and the suppression of the individual's brutal instincts set the stage for later thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who had different views on the contract's nature and the scope of government powers. Hobbes believed that in the state of war humans surrendered some liberties to a leviathan, a kind of monster represented by the state, to ensure mutual protection and societal function.
Locke, another English philosopher, built on Hobbes' ideas but offered a more optimistic view, arguing that people are capable of self-rule and that government's role should be to protect the natural rights of individuals. The founding of the United States heavily embodies Locke's philosophy, indicating the broad spectrum of philosophies ranging from Hobbes' strong authoritarianism to Locke's emphasis on individual freedoms.