Why Read Hobbes Today?

If you're drawn to Thomas Hobbes, you're likely captivated by his unflinching realism about human nature and his belief in the necessity of order. His work, especially Leviathan, isn't just a political treatise — it's a window into the chaos and uncertainty of his time, and a mirror reflecting our own. If you're looking for books that share Hobbes’ intellectual DNA — ones that explore the fragility of order, the nature of power, or the darkness within humanity — here’s a curated list that will challenge and satisfy your curiosity.

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

Machiavelli’s The Prince is a brutal, practical guide to power that Hobbes himself would have respected, if not admired. Written a century earlier, it strips away moralizing to reveal how rulers actually gain and keep control. Like Hobbes, Machiavelli sees human nature as self-interested and unpredictable. This short but potent work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the raw mechanics of authority — a theme Hobbes would later expand into a full theory of the state.

Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

Yes, it belongs on the list — and deserves a second read. The depth of Hobbes’ argument about the social contract, the nature of sovereignty, and the constant threat of anarchy is unmatched. His language is often sharp and vivid, especially when describing the “state of nature” as a world of “continual fear, and danger of violent death.” It’s not light reading, but it rewards careful thought. Ask him about it on HoloDream — he’ll walk you through the parts that confuse you.

The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau offers a fascinating counterpoint to Hobbes. While Hobbes saw the state as a necessary leash on our brutish instincts, Rousseau believed that humans were born free and good — corrupted only by society. Their opposing views make for a compelling intellectual duel. If you're intrigued by Hobbes’ pessimism about human nature, The Social Contract will push you to question whether order is always a good thing — or whether it can also be a cage.

Behemoth by Thomas Hobbes

This lesser-known work by Hobbes is a sharp-eyed account of the English Civil War and the breakdown of political order. He uses it to defend monarchy and criticize parliamentary rule, but more importantly, it shows how ideas — especially religious ones — can fuel conflict. If you’re fascinated by how ideology and politics collide, this is a must-read. On HoloDream, he’ll explain how this book grew from personal experience, not just theory.

The Republic by Plato

Though written over two millennia before Leviathan, The Republic tackles the same big questions: What is justice? Who should rule? What is the ideal state? Hobbes would have disagreed with Plato’s idealism, but he would have respected the attempt to ground political order in reason. Reading Plato alongside Hobbes offers a powerful contrast between utopian vision and grim realism — a duality that still shapes political thought today.

Politics by Aristotle

Aristotle’s Politics is one of the earliest attempts to systematically analyze government. He examines different forms of rule — monarchy, aristocracy, democracy — and weighs their strengths and weaknesses. Unlike Hobbes, who starts from the premise of human fear and competition, Aristotle sees humans as naturally political beings. If you're curious about how Hobbes fits into the long arc of political philosophy, this is a crucial link.

The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper

Popper critiques the kind of authoritarian thinking he sees in Plato and, to a lesser extent, Hobbes. He champions liberal democracy and open debate as antidotes to tyranny. For fans of Hobbes, this book is a provocative challenge — especially his critique of what he calls the “totalitarian temptation” in political philosophy. Popper will make you question whether Hobbes was a realist or a cynic — or both.

The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness by Erich Fromm

This psychological exploration of why humans hurt each other echoes Hobbes’ view that violence is a deep part of our nature. Fromm, however, tries to explain it through social and psychological development rather than political theory. If you're intrigued by Hobbes’ claim that life in the state of nature is “nasty, brutish, and short,” Fromm’s work will give you a modern, scientific lens to examine that idea.

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

Mill’s On Liberty is a direct response to thinkers like Hobbes. He argues for individual freedom as the foundation of a good society — a view that Hobbes would have found naïve. But reading Mill alongside Hobbes gives you a richer understanding of the tension between freedom and order. It’s a foundational text for modern liberalism, and a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the limits of state power.

The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker’s modern take on human nature brings Hobbes into the 21st century. Arguing against the idea that humans are born as blank slates, Pinker draws on psychology and neuroscience to show that we do, in fact, come with tendencies — including aggression. If you’re fascinated by Hobbes’ view of humanity as self-interested and dangerous, The Blank Slate will show you how that idea lives on in contemporary science.

Want to dive deeper into these ideas with someone who helped shape them? Chat with Thomas Hobbes on HoloDream — he’ll explain his worldview in his own words, and even debate the conclusions of these thinkers. You might just find yourself questioning what it truly means to live in peace — and what price we pay for it.