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

See Examples For:

Hobbism

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

Though the Restoration brought Hobbes a pension his two great works were condemned by Parliament, and Hobbism became ere he died a popular synonym for political as well as religious immorality.

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

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