For those seeking to live a more meaningful life through the study of philosophy, the overwhelming amount of information available can often lead to confusion. Returning to the foundational concepts is essential, particularly by examining the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes and his idea of materialism. Understanding these principles provides valuable insights and enhances the practical application of philosophy in everyday life. This article delves into Hobbes’s philosophy, the concept of materialism, and their importance in the philosophical quest for a more meaningful existence.
Key features of Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy
Thomas Hobbes was an influential philosopher best known for his ideas about society, government, and human nature. He believed that humans are naturally selfish and competitive, which can lead to conflict and chaos without a strong authority to maintain order. This idea was central to his famous book, Leviathan, in which he argued that people give up some of their freedoms to a powerful ruler or government in exchange for security and peace. This agreement, known as the “social contract,” forms the foundation of his political philosophy.
Hobbes also believed that life in a state of nature—without laws or government—would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” To prevent this, he advocated for a centralized authority, such as a monarchy, that could enforce laws and ensure stability. While some find his views pessimistic, his work laid the groundwork for modern political science and discussions about the role of government in society. Despite his emphasis on strong authority, Hobbes also recognized the importance of rationality and the need for governments to act in the best interest of their citizens.
What is materialism?
Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century philosopher, believed in a concept of materialism that centered around the idea that everything in existence is made up of matter. According to Hobbes, all phenomena, including human thoughts, emotions, and actions, can be explained through the interaction of physical matter. He rejected the notion of immaterial substances or spiritual elements, arguing that the universe operates like a vast, mechanical system governed by physical laws. For Hobbes, even the human mind and consciousness were rooted in material processes, such as the functioning of the brain and the nervous system.
Hobbes viewed the world as a place where everything exists due to physical causes and effects. He believed that understanding these causes and effects was key to explaining how things work, including human behaviour. Through reason and observation, Hobbes argued, people could uncover the material causes behind various natural and human events. This view of materialism shaped much of his broader philosophical theories, such as his ideas about human nature and society. Ultimately, Hobbes’s materialistic perspective sought to place all areas of existence within the framework of the physical world, leaving no space for explanations based on anything beyond matter and motion.
This example demonstrates this philosophical perspective. Imagine a scenario where a watch is fully dismantled into all its individual parts—gears, screws, and springs. According to Thomas Hobbes’s materialistic view, the watch represents a machine, its functioning entirely dependent on the physical arrangement and interaction of its components. Hobbes argued that humans are similarly mechanical in nature, governed by the movements and properties of their physical bodies. Picture a human being as a complex system of “parts,” such as the brain, nerves, and muscles, all working together to produce thoughts, actions, and feelings. Just as the reassembled watch can tick and tell time when all its pieces are correctly in place, Hobbes believed that our physical structure explains everything about who we are and how we operate. This reductionist metaphor highlights the grounded, logical focus Hobbes placed on material elements in understanding life and the human condition.
Challenges to Thomas Hobbes’s view about materialism
Some philosophers have objected to or rejected Thomas Hobbes’s view about materialism for various reasons, ranging from critiques about its explanatory power to its implications for human nature and experience. One common objection is that strict materialism cannot fully account for the richness of human consciousness. Critics argue that experiences like emotions, thoughts, and subjective sensations—often referred to as the “qualia” of existence—are not easily reducible to purely physical processes. These philosophers believe that consciousness involves qualities that materialism cannot adequately explain, which suggests that aspects of reality might extend beyond the physical.
Another critique focuses on the idea of free will and moral responsibility. Materialism suggests that all events, including human actions, are determined by physical laws and processes. Some philosophers see this as problematic because it appears to make free will an illusion. If every choice we make is simply the result of mechanical processes in the brain, the basis for holding individuals morally responsible for their actions comes into question. This objection is significant because it challenges how we make sense of ethics and justice when viewed through a strictly materialist lens.
Furthermore, some philosophers argue that materialism oversimplifies the nature of reality by denying the existence or importance of non-material entities, such as the soul, spiritual dimensions, or abstract concepts like love and beauty. They believe that reducing everything to matter and motion diminishes the complexity of existence and overlooks dimensions of life that cannot be explained by physical science alone. This can make materialism seem mechanistic and reductive to those who value the metaphysical or spiritual aspects of being.
Finally, critics point out that materialism may struggle to explain phenomena such as creativity, intuition, or the sense of awe people feel when faced with art or nature. Such experiences often seem to transcend a purely physical explanation, leading some philosophers to reject materialism in favor of more holistic frameworks that incorporate both the physical and the non-physical aspects of reality. For these reasons, materialism has remained a deeply debated topic in philosophy, with many thinkers continuing to challenge its scope and implications.
Why materialism is important to Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy
These are some of the primary reasons why grasping the concept of materialism is crucial to comprehending Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy.
- Foundation for Understanding Human Nature
Materialism emphasizes the idea that everything, including human beings, operates according to physical processes and natural laws. This perspective is key to understanding how human behavior, thought, and emotions can be explained without invoking supernatural or immaterial entities. By focusing on material explanations, it creates a framework to study human nature systematically. This approach encourages viewing human actions as predictable and rooted in physical causes, such as bodily sensations, external environment, and interactions. This lens is crucial when exploring any naturalistic view of human motivation and relationships.
- Focus on the Physical World
Materialism shifts attention to the physical and observable aspects of reality. This viewpoint reinforces the importance of studying tangible phenomena, such as the movements of bodies or observable interactions, as the basis for understanding broader ideas about society, politics, and human existence. It allows for the development of theories grounded in the material world, leading to explanations that are testable and directly connected to lived experience. Philosophers relying on materialism emphasize logic, evidence, and observable connections rather than abstract, metaphysical elements, ensuring clarity and practicality.
- Framework for Mechanistic Explanation
Materialism introduces the idea that all phenomena, including human and social systems, function mechanistically. This approach views the world as a vast system where all events follow cause-and-effect relationships rooted in the interactions of matter. By using a mechanistic framework, it becomes easier to break down complex ideas, such as societal structures, into smaller, understandable components. This method of explanation allows for examining how individual parts collectively create larger systems, making it a valuable tool for philosophical and scientific inquiry.
Contrasting Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy with George Berkeley’s philosophy
Thomas Hobbes and George Berkeley held contrasting perspectives on the nature of reality, particularly in relation to materialism. Hobbes, as a materialist, believed that everything in existence is physical matter, with all processes and phenomena, including thoughts and emotions, reducible to material interactions. This view places the physical world at the center of his understanding of reality.
Berkeley, on the other hand, firmly opposed materialism and introduced the concept of immaterialism, often summarized by his phrase “to be is to be perceived.” He argued that objects only exist when they are perceived by a mind. According to Berkeley, reality is rooted in ideas and perceptions, sustained by the infinite mind of God. While Hobbes emphasized the primacy of matter and dismissed the notion of non-physical entities, Berkeley rejected the existence of matter entirely, claiming it was unnecessary to explain the world.
The sharp division between these two philosophies lies in their foundational beliefs about existence. Hobbes focused on the tangible and measurable, while Berkeley prioritized perception and the mind’s role in shaping reality. This divergence illustrates the broader philosophical debate about the nature of reality and whether physical matter or mental perception serves as its ultimate foundation.
Materialism, Thomas Hobbes’s philosophy and the meaning of life
Reflecting on Thomas Hobbes’s view about materialism is an important exercise, regardless of whether you agree with it or not, because it forces you to examine your own values and priorities in life. Thinking about materialism challenges you to ask questions like, “What truly matters to me?” and “How much do material possessions or physical needs dictate the choices I make?” These are essential reflections when you’re trying to live a more meaningful and intentional life. Even if your beliefs differ from Hobbes’s, considering his perspective can help you understand the role material aspects play in shaping your goals, relationships, and sense of purpose.
Practical reflection on these themes can reveal whether your focus leans too heavily on external possessions, achievements, or physical comfort and whether that focus aligns with your deeper values. For some, this might mean realizing that material pursuits offer only temporary satisfaction, inspiring a shift toward nurturing relationships, contributing to the community, or pursuing personal growth. For others, it could reinforce the understanding that material well-being can provide a foundation for exploring higher ambitions or helping others. Either way, such self-awareness is a key step toward cultivating a life driven by intention and meaning.
Beyond personal insights, reflecting on these ideas can guide how you approach challenges and define success. When you think critically about materialism, you may begin to recognize how much energy you spend chasing things that ultimately leave you unfulfilled. This realization can help you recalibrate your efforts, choosing instead to invest your time and resources into activities and values that bring long-term joy and a deeper sense of purpose. Similarly, these reflections can help you find balance amid life’s uncertainties by clarifying what you can and can’t control—allowing you to focus on what matters most.
Ultimately, reflecting on philosophies like Hobbes’s ensures you don’t live on autopilot, making choices driven by habit or societal pressures. It encourages you to live more deliberately, fostering habits and decisions that align with the life you want to lead. Whether or not you agree with Hobbes’s ideas, engaging with them can push you to think critically about how to build a life that feels rich, fulfilling, and meaningful.
Further reading
Gauthier, D. (1979). The logic of Leviathan: The moral and political theory of Thomas Hobbes. Clarendon Press.
Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan or the matter, forme, and power of a common-wealth ecclesiasticall and civill. Andrew Crooke.
Lloyd, S. A. (2009). Morality in the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes: Cases in the law of nature. Cambridge University Press.
Martinich, A. (1992). The two gods of Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes on religion and politics. Cambridge University Press.
Parkin, J. (2007). Taming the Leviathan: The reception of the political and religious ideas of Thomas Hobbes in England 1640–1700. Cambridge University Press.
Rogers, G. A. J. (2000). Hobbes and history. Routledge.
Skinner, Q. (1996). Reason and rhetoric in the philosophy of Hobbes. Cambridge University Press.
Spragens Jr., T. A. (1973). The politics of motion: The world of Thomas Hobbes. University Press of Kentucky.
Tuck, R. (1989). Hobbes. Oxford University Press.
Zagorin, P. (1990). Hobbes and the law of nature. Princeton University Press.