the power to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience

a concept that imagines life without society or government, with different philosophers seeing it as either peaceful or chaotic

a philosophical tool to test ideas in hypothetical contexts, not real-world scenarios

The state of nature and social contracts

Religious education

In this unit there is a choice. Through a social science lens, pupils consider how psychologists analyse the phenomenon of religion. Or they may study the flowering of philosophy at the time of the Enlightenment through a depth study of Hobbes and Rousseau and their ideas of religion and society.

Psychology of religion or Religion and political philosophy

 a concept that imagines life without society or government

a philosophical tool to test ideas in hypothetical situations

Match the keywords below to the correct definitions.

a world where there was no philosophy or deep thinking

a world where there was no religion or ethics

a world where there were no governments or laws

When Hobbes wrote, 'Imagine men without civil society', what was he asking us to imagine?

things would not be any different to how they are now

What did Hobbes think would happen if people lived in a state of nature?

that all humans should be free to act according to their natures

Which of the following is true of what Hobbes believed?

What is the name of Hobbes' theory which refers to an arrangement between two or more people or groups, where each promises to do something for the other?

Who did Hobbes believe should have absolute authority?

What do we call academics and thinkers who study ultimate questions about existence, knowledge, ethics and reality, using logic to explore these topics?

Which of the below was an English philosopher (1588–1679) known for his political philosophy?

What is the name of the book written by Thomas Hobbes that argues for a strong authority to maintain order in society?

Which war did Thomas Hobbes live through?

What do historians call the eighteenth-century movement which developed ideas that challenged the authority of monarchs and the Church?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The state of nature and social contracts

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.