answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In order to escape the state of nature (depicted by him to be a state in which life for humans is 'nasty, brutish, and short') people will simultaneously enter into a social contract in which each of their rights to all things is transferred to an all powerful Leviathan that then has the power to do anything in order to maintain civil peace. Entering into a society under the protection of a Leviathan is the best thing in terms of self-preservation which is, according to Hobbes, the number 1 priority for humans. Fear of each other is traded for fear of the Leviathan.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

2w ago

Hobbes believed that individuals come together and agree to give up some of their freedoms to a governing authority in exchange for protection and security. This agreement creates a social contract where the government has the power to maintain order and prevent chaos within society.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What did Hobbes mean by a social contract?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Philosophy

Which philosopher wrote a social contract?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a philosopher who wrote about the social contract theory in his work "The Social Contract" (1762).


Why did John Locke disagree with Hobbes social contract?

John Locke disagreed with Hobbes's social contract theory because he believed that individuals have natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property, that are not surrendered in the social contract. Unlike Hobbes, who believed in an absolute monarchy to maintain order, Locke argued for a more limited government that respects individual rights and can be overthrown if it fails to do so.


Thomas Hobbes is most closely associated with which principle?

The social contract


In Hobbes levrothan the purpose of social contract to creqy a sovereign who can?

In Hobbes's Leviathan, the purpose of the social contract is to create a sovereign authority with absolute power to maintain peace and order among individuals in a state of nature. This sovereign is responsible for upholding the social contract and protecting the people's lives and property in exchange for their obedience.


What Thomas Hobbes was an Enlightenment thinker considered to be the originator of social contract theory. According to Hobbes and his ideas on social contract would be true?

Thomas Hobbes argued that individuals in a state of nature would live in a constant state of war due to their selfishness and competitiveness. To avoid this, people form a social contract whereby they surrender some freedoms in exchange for security and societal order. This contract establishes a sovereign authority to ensure peace and stability.

Related questions

Social Contract Theory was advocated by?

Hobbes, Locke Rousseau


Which enlightenment thinker wrote the social contract?

Hobbes


Which Enlightenment thinker first wrote about the social contract?

Thomas Hobbes


What enlightenment thinker wrote about the social contract?

Thomas Hobbes


Which philosopher wrote a social contract?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a philosopher who wrote about the social contract theory in his work "The Social Contract" (1762).


What enlightened englishman contributed the social contract theory of government?

There were three men who are historically linked to social contract theory. They are Thomas Hobbes, john Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Both Hobbes and Locke were Englishmen.


3 philosophers were associated with the social contract?

Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau


What did hobbes believe about social contract?

Thomas hobbes believed that it was human nature to be greedy and that we were to follow to rules given to us by our higher powers. He did not believe in the rights given to us from the idea of the social contract.


The 17th and 18th century philosophers John Locke Jean Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes supported the Theory of government?

Social Contract


In hobbes's ''leviathan''the purpose of the social contract is to create a sovereagn who can?

protect the lives of everyone who agrees to the contract


What did Thomas Hobbes believe about social contract?

Thomas hobbes believed that it was human nature to be greedy and that we were to follow to rules given to us by our higher powers. He did not believe in the rights given to us from the idea of the social contract.


Why does Hobbes's version of the social contract give absolute power to a sovereign?

only the sovereign is capable of protecting people from the state of nature