Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
This guide targets US high school and college students studying Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan Chapter 13. It distills core concepts, provides actionable study structures, and preps you for class discussion, quizzes, and essays. Use this before your next lecture to come prepared with targeted questions.
Leviathan Chapter 13 lays out Hobbes' argument about human life without a centralized authority, focusing on equality of ability, competition, and the resulting state of conflict. This chapter forms the foundational logic for his later defense of absolute sovereign power. Jot down 2 specific examples from the text that illustrate his core claims about human nature.
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Leviathan Chapter 13 is a foundational section of Hobbes' political philosophy text. It outlines the 'state of nature' — a hypothetical condition where no government or laws exist to regulate human behavior. Hobbes argues that this state leads to constant conflict due to inherent human drives for survival and power.
Next step: Write a 1-sentence summary of the state of nature as Hobbes defines it, then list 3 key characteristics he assigns to this condition.
Action: Annotate the chapter for references to human equality and conflict
Output: A page of marginal notes linking specific claims to Hobbes’ broader argument
Action: Map the chapter’s logic from state of nature to the need for sovereign power
Output: A 3-box flow chart showing the cause-and-effect chain of Hobbes’ reasoning
Action: Practice explaining the chapter’s core ideas to a peer
Output: A 2-minute verbal summary that you can adapt for class discussion or exam responses
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Action: Isolate the chapter’s core argument by identifying the opening thesis and closing conclusion
Output: A 2-sentence summary that distills the chapter’s purpose without extra details
Action: Map the logical connections between each key claim in the chapter
Output: A visual flow chart showing how Hobbes moves from observations to conclusions
Action: Test the argument’s validity by brainstorming real-world counterexamples
Output: A list of 2-3 scenarios that challenge or support Hobbes’ claims about the state of nature
Teacher looks for: Clear, correct understanding of Hobbes’ core claims in Chapter 13
How to meet it: Cross-reference your notes with reliable secondary sources to confirm you’ve captured Hobbes’ exact framing of the state of nature and its causes
Teacher looks for: Ability to evaluate Hobbes’ arguments, not just summarize them
How to meet it: Identify at least one underlying assumption in Chapter 13 and explain how it strengthens or weakens the overall argument
Teacher looks for: Linkage of Chapter 13’s ideas to the rest of Leviathan or modern political thought
How to meet it: Write a 1-sentence explanation of how Chapter 13’s state of nature argument supports the book’s final defense of sovereign power
Hobbes defines the state of nature as a condition without government, laws, or property rights. He argues that all humans are equal in their ability to harm or kill one another, even if they differ in strength or intelligence. List 2 real-world scenarios that approximate this state, according to Hobbes’ framework.
The chapter moves from observations of human behavior to a hypothetical state, then to a conclusion about the need for government. Hobbes uses a sequential argument: first establishing equality, then the causes of conflict, then the resulting state of war. Draw a simple arrow diagram showing this progression in your notes.
Chapter 13’s argument is the foundation for everything that comes after in Leviathan. Hobbes uses the state of nature’s horrors to convince readers that a strong, centralized sovereign is the only way to achieve peace. Write a 1-sentence explanation of how this chapter sets up the book’s later defense of absolute power.
Teachers often ask students to challenge Hobbes’ assumptions about human nature. Come to class with one specific counterexample that suggests humans might cooperate without a centralized authority. Use this before class to lead a small-group discussion on the chapter’s limitations.
When writing about Chapter 13, focus on the logical structure of Hobbes’ argument, not just his claims. Identify gaps or unstated assumptions, then use those to build a critical thesis. Use this before your essay draft to refine your argument and avoid summarizing alongside analyzing.
For multiple-choice exams, focus on memorizing the three causes of conflict in the state of nature. For essay exams, practice linking Chapter 13’s argument to the rest of Leviathan. Create flashcards for key terms and test yourself with the self-questions in the exam kit.
The main point of Leviathan Chapter 13 is to outline the hypothetical 'state of nature' — a condition without government where human equality leads to constant conflict — to justify the need for a strong, centralized sovereign power.
Hobbes identifies three primary causes of war in the state of nature: competition for limited resources, diffidence (distrust of others), and a desire for glory or reputation.
Leviathan Chapter 13 lays the groundwork for social contract theory by establishing that humans would voluntarily give up some freedoms to a sovereign in exchange for protection from the horrors of the state of nature.
A common mistake is treating the state of nature as a historical period, rather than a hypothetical tool Hobbes uses to make his argument. Another is assuming Hobbes sees human nature as inherently evil, rather than self-interested.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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