Why did Thomas Hobbes call the state of nature a war of every person against every person?

Thomas Hobbes described the state of nature as a "war of every man against every man" because he viewed human beings as inherently self-interested, competitive, and driven by a desire for pleasure and self-preservation.12

In this hypothetical condition, which lacks a common sovereign or civil society to enforce order, individuals possess a natural right to everything. This leads to constant competition for wealth, security, and glory. Because there is no authority to adjudicate disputes, even moderate individuals are forced to engage in preemptive violence to protect themselves from the "ruthless and bloodthirsty few".123

Consequently, life in this state is characterized by perpetual fear and mistrust, making industry, commerce, and culture impossible. Hobbes famously concluded that in such a state, human life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short". To escape this disastrous condition, individuals must rationally agree to a social contract, transferring their power to a sovereign—the Leviathan—to ensure peace and safety.123