hobbesian means of, relating to, or influenced by Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, hobbesian ranks #2,350 of 14,448 for Most Incisive Words, #2,678 of 14,410 for Most Ponderous Words, #3,487 of 14,456 for The Improbable, #7,100 of 14,440 for Most Satisfying to Say.
hobbesian is pronounced /ˈhɒb.zi.ən/.
Why “hobbesian” is a great word
Describing a worldview that sees human existence outside of imposed order as fundamentally chaotic, violent, and self-interested, necessitating absolute authority to prevent societal collapse. From the surname Hobbes (referring to the 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes) + the suffix -ian (meaning 'belonging to' or 'relating to'), first recorded in use 1770–80. Unlike 'Lockean' (which imagines a social contract protecting inherent rights) or 'utopian' (which dreams of perfectible harmony), the Hobbesian condition is one of perpetual insecurity. It is the glint of suspicion in a stranger’s eye, the unspoken calculation before a handshake, and the cold comfort of the prison wall that also keeps the wolves at bay—a grim testament to the price we pay to escape ourselves.
Etymology
From Hobbes (a surname) + -ian; referring to the 17th century English author Thomas Hobbes, whose best-known work, Leviathan, describes the state of nature in terms of unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition.
adj
- Of, relating to, or influenced by Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories.“a Hobbesian theory of the state”
- Involving unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition.“a cutthroat, Hobbesian environment”
noun
- A follower of the theories of Thomas Hobbes.“Hobbesians purport to describe social order as it is: a constant, iron-fisted effort to crush enemies and to incapacitate criminals.”
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