The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic

work by Hobbes

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic is an early work by Thomas Hobbes, written around 1640. It lays the groundwork for his later, more famous work, Leviathan.12

In this treatise, Hobbes explores the nature of government and law, arguing that human beings are fundamentally self-interested and driven by a desire for self-preservation. He posits that in a "state of nature," without a governing authority, life would be a chaotic "war of all against all," characterized by constant fear and violence.341

To escape this state, individuals rationally enter into a social contract, surrendering their individual liberties to a sovereign power in exchange for security and order. Hobbes believed that this sovereign's authority must be absolute to effectively prevent anarchy and ensure peace. This work is considered a foundational text in the development of legal positivism.1567489

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

9 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Thomas Hobbes
Intellectual development of Thomas Hobbes
The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic (written in 1640, published in a misedited unauthorized version in 1650) was Hobbes’s first work of political philosophy, though he did not intend it for publication as a book.
Read More
The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic (written in 1640, published in a misedited unauthorized version in 1650) was Hobbes’s first work of political philosophy, though he did not intend it for publication as a book.
Read More