By: Shelby Marshall & Krista Cotton

Thomas Hobbes: A Brief Biography Hobbes was born on April 5, 1588 and his hometown was Malmesbury, England. His father was a clergyman. As a young man, Hobbes left Malmesbury and started tutoring William Cavendish, who later became the second earl of Devonshire.

Some more about him… While he worked for the Cavendish family (as he did for most of his life) he had access to books & connections to other philosophers & scientists. He wrote his first publication, Elements of Law in 1640, which talked about Liberty, Empire and Religion.

 England, UK Malmesbury in the county of Wiltshire, England 

Hobbes Theories on Law Hobbes believed that security and the preservation of peace were fundamental to political and social justice. He also believed that human made law was much more important than natural law because humans are naturally evil and need to be governed.

Theories Continued… Hobbes also believed… That there needed to be a superior power for there to be justice. That the ruler must have the authority to take whatever steps necessary to protect life, property & contract.

Theories Still Continued… Also that people need government, or life would be chaotic. And Finally… That people needed to realize that to be a citizen meant that they lost the right to govern themselves, and that they needed to listen to their ruler. His final point was that justice depends largely on the peoples obedience to civil law

What do you think? Do you agree with Hobbes theories, that people are born evil and need to have a superior power to be governed and taught to be good?