DOCUMENT: CLS-REBUILD · CLASSIFICATION: PUBLIC METHODOLOGY: SYMMETRIC · STATUS: ACTIVE
Founder or thinker

Why do people form a commonwealth?

Thomas Hobbes Founder or thinker

Read this first Extrapolation from the historical record, not the words of the founder.
From the answer library, published September 30, 2026. Pre-generated; every quotation was checked by code.
The short answer

Thomas Hobbes

Quotes verified 2/2Coverage: DIRECTWhole record

Thomas Hobbes believed people form a commonwealth to escape the state of war and achieve peace, unity, and security. He argued that without a common power to enforce order, people's self-interest and natural passions would lead to conflict. Confidence is high based on direct statements in his writings.

  • undated “The final cause, end, or design of men ... is the foresight of their own preservation, and of a more contented life thereby; that is to say, of getting themselves out from that miserable condition of war...”
  • undated “Yet cannot men expect any lasting preservation, continuing thus in the state of nature, that is, of war, by reason of that equality of power, and other human faculties they are endued withal. Wherefore to seek peace, where there is any hopes of obtaining it, and where there is none, to enquire out for auxiliaries of war, is the dictate of right reason, that is, the law of nature;” Quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself

Translation: quotations from Thomas Hobbes are quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself, not his original words.

The full record: ledger, contrary evidence, reasoning, sources

Translation: quotations from Thomas Hobbes are quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

  • BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth because mutual consent and cooperation are insufficient to ensure lasting peace and security. He argues that without a stronger unifying force, people's differing opinions and self-interests will lead to discord and conflict.
  • BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to seek peace and avoid the dangers of the state of nature, which is a state of war due to equality of power and other human faculties. This is grounded in his argument that the natural state of men is one of war, and thus, seeking peace becomes a dictate of right reason. (key quote above)
  • BELIEF (undated; quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself): Thomas Hobbes believed that the beginning of civil society arises from mutual fear, not from an inherent fitness for society. He argues that people form a commonwealth to preserve themselves against mutual violence and to achieve peace.
  • BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to secure their own preservation and to live a more contented life by escaping the miserable condition of war. This is based on the natural passions of men and the need for a visible power to enforce covenants and laws of nature. (key quote above)
  • BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to achieve unity and concord, which is necessary for their common peace, defence, and benefit. This is grounded in his argument that without such union, men remain in a state of war.
  • BELIEF (undated): Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to achieve security and maintain concord among themselves, as without it, men remain in a state of war. He argues that union is necessary for maintaining concord, and that this union requires a power to keep people in awe.

What cuts against it

  • The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: .

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to escape the miserable condition of war.

2. He argued that the natural state of men is one of war due to equality of power and other human faculties.

3. To seek peace and avoid the dangers of the state of nature, people form a commonwealth, as it is a dictate of right reason.

4. The beginning of civil society arises from mutual fear, not from an inherent fitness for society.

5. Union is necessary for maintaining concord and security, and this union requires a power to keep people in awe. (inference)

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Thomas Hobbes believed that people form a commonwealth to achieve unity and concord, which is necessary for their common peace, defence, and benefit. He argued that without such union, men remain in a state of war.

Competing readings: None.

Confidence: High, as the record directly addresses the question and provides multiple supporting passages.

Sources cited (click to read the passage)
  1. Quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself
    The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 02: Philosophical Rudiments concerning Government and Society (De Cive) (Sir William Molesworth (ed.), London: John Bohn, 1839-1845). Translated by English version of De Cive, 'Philosophical Rudiments' (1651), attributed to Hobbes himself (1651). Document: CHAPTER V. / OF THE CAUSES AND FIRST BEGINNING OF CIVIL / GOVERNMENT.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/pg73906-the-english-works-of-thomas-vol-02-philosophical-rudi/0010.02
  2. Quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself
    The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 02: Philosophical Rudiments concerning Government and Society (De Cive) (Sir William Molesworth (ed.), London: John Bohn, 1839-1845). Translated by English version of De Cive, 'Philosophical Rudiments' (1651), attributed to Hobbes himself (1651). Document: CHAPTER I. / OF THE STATE OF MEN WITHOUT CIVIL SOCIETY.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/pg73906-the-english-works-of-thomas-vol-02-philosophical-rudi/0006.10
  3. Quoted in the 1651 English version of De Cive (Philosophical Rudiments), attributed to Hobbes himself
    The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 02: Philosophical Rudiments concerning Government and Society (De Cive) (Sir William Molesworth (ed.), London: John Bohn, 1839-1845). Translated by English version of De Cive, 'Philosophical Rudiments' (1651), attributed to Hobbes himself (1651). Document: CHAPTER I. / OF THE STATE OF MEN WITHOUT CIVIL SOCIETY.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/pg73906-the-english-works-of-thomas-vol-02-philosophical-rudi/0006.00
  4. English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.: The English Works, vol. III (Leviathan) (Sir William Molesworth (editor)), p. 154. Document: PART II.: OF COMMONWEALTH.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/english-works-vol-iii-leviathan/0002.00
  5. The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 04: Human Nature; De Corpore Politico; Of Liberty and Necessity; etc. (Sir William Molesworth (ed.), London: John Bohn, 1839-1845). Document: CHAPTER VI.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/pg74236-the-english-works-of-thomas-vol-04-human-nature-de-co/0025.04
  6. The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, vol. 04: Human Nature; De Corpore Politico; Of Liberty and Necessity; etc. (Sir William Molesworth (ed.), London: John Bohn, 1839-1845). Document: CHAPTER VI.. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: hobbes/pg74236-the-english-works-of-thomas-vol-04-human-nature-de-co/0025.00

Quote check: PASSED (2/2 quotations verified verbatim)

Read more prior questions or ask a question of your own. How answers are built, checked and reviewed: How It Works.