Hobbism

American  

[hob-iz-uhm] / ˈhɒb ɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrines of, or those attributed to, Hobbes, especially the doctrine of absolute submission to a royal sovereign in order to avoid the anarchic disorder resulting from the uncontrolled competition of individual interests.

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Hobbism British  

/ ˈhɒbɪzəm /

noun

1. the mechanistic political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, which stresses the necessity for a powerful sovereign to control human beings

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Other Word Forms

• Hobbist noun
• Hobbistical adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hobbism

First recorded in 1675–85; Hobb(es) + -ism

Example Sentences

Trenchard and Gordon, in their Independent Whig, No. 44, that libel on the clergy, accuse them of Atheism and Hobbism; while some divines as earnestly reject Hobbes as an Atheist!

From Calamities and Quarrels of Authors by Disraeli, Isaac

Hobbism turned inside out,—rendered licentious and anarchical instead of constructive.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various

Charles himself was divided between superstition and Hobbism.

From History of the English People, Volume VI Puritan England, 1642-1660; The Revolution, 1660-1683 by Green, John Richard

His mind had long oscillated between Hobbism and Popery.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

He seems to have passed his life in dawdling suspense between Hobbism and Popery.

From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron