Did Thomas Hobbes hold that there exists a human nature?

The other way of interpreting Hobbes is not without problems either. This takes Hobbes to be saying that we ought, morally speaking, to avoid the state of nature. We have a duty to do what we can to avoid this situation arising, and a duty to end it, if at all possible. read more

In fact, thus, Hobbes believes that people are able to see that there is a better, integrative solution, than acting selfishly - which cooperation in erecting the Leviathan. Hobbes' view of human nature is thus much less bleak than often portrayed (and, in fact, does not much differ much from the views underlying much of classic economic theory). read more

Hobbes believed that in man’s natural state, moral ideas do not exist. Thus, in speaking of human nature, he defines good simply as that which people desire and evil as that which they avoid, at least in the state of nature. Hobbes uses these definitions as bases for explaining a variety of emotions and behaviors. read more

First Hobbes writes of the natural condition of human beings, which he believes is inherently troublesome; the state of nature that exists without a government, which to Hobbes is terrifyingly chaotic; and then the laws of nature that he says can, but do not always guide human behavior towards self-preservation. read more