Thomas Hobbes’ political philosophy, most notably articulated in Leviathan (1651), represents a foundational moment in the development of modern political individualism. Hobbes constructs a vision of political order grounded in a distinctly individualist ontology, wherein human beings are viewed as rational, self-interested agents. His conception of the state, the social contract, and political obligation all … Continue reading How does Thomas Hobbes’ political philosophy reflect an individualist orientation, particularly in his conceptualization of the state, human nature, and the social contract within a framework of rational self-interest and political obligation?