De Cive

De Cive, published in Latin in 1642, is Thomas Hobbes's presentation of his political philosophy in what he considered its most scientific form. In this work, Hobbes rejects Aristotle's idea that humans are naturally suited for political life. Instead, Hobbes argues that humans are inherently self-interested, competitive, and prone to conflict, leading to a "war of every man against every man" in the absence of a governing authority.123

To escape this chaotic "state of nature," individuals enter into a social contract, surrendering their natural rights to a sovereign in exchange for safety and order. This sovereign's power is absolute, ensuring peace and well-being, though subjects retain the right to resist if their lives are directly threatened by the sovereign's actions. De Cive was intended for an audience interested in the new science, approaching problems without relying on ancient authorities.123