Hobbesian
/ˈhɒb.zi.ən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A follower of the theories of Thomas Hobbes.
"Hobbesians purport to describe social order as it is: a constant, iron-fisted effort to crush enemies and to incapacitate criminals."
Adjective
- 1 Of, relating to, or influenced by Thomas Hobbes or his philosophical theories.
"a Hobbesian theory of the state"
- 2 Involving unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition. figuratively
"a cutthroat, Hobbesian environment"
Example
More examples"a Hobbesian theory of the state"
Etymology
From Hobbes (a surname) + -ian; referring to the 17th century English author Thomas Hobbes, whose best-known work, Leviathan, describes the state of nature in terms of unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition.