Thomas Hobbes lived during revolutionary times, beginning with the overthrow and demise of the English King, Charles 1, in 1641 (Newton, 2004). Hobbes writings of 1651 are documented with an influence from these events, while being credited with transition from medieval to modern thinking in Britain. Although Hobbes post-revolutionary treatise ultimately depended on accepting an absolute monarch, which contradicts present day philosophy, still, Hobbes is credited with the notion of a person's natural rights. Hobbes theory depicts the right of self-preservation, by stating a person may do whatever needs to be done to save their life and to procure the means to live (Newton, 2004). Hobbes' rather straightforward approach suggests that every man is an enemy of every man (Newton, 2004) and the worst that can happen to anyone is a violent death at the hands of others. Citing natural rights, Hobbes therefore indicates we have the right to prevent a violent death from taking place through self preservation, by taking action against those who may or may not harm us. Hobbes theory of mankind illustrates a violent, short, and solitary life, which arises perhaps his most powerful work. Hobbes identifies just how little humankind rarely uses good judgment. These ideals of natural rights, human judgment, and society set in motion a foundation, which would be expanded upon by…
