Hobbes utilized a deductive, geometric method in his political philosophy. Influenced by the scientific revolution and the rigor of mathematics, he sought to build a political system from first principles—starting with the nature of human beings in a state of nature—and logically deducing the necessity of an absolute sovereign to maintain peace and prevent the chaos of civil war.

Thomas Hobbes' political philosophy, particularly in 'Leviathan,' posits that human nature is inherently competitive and driven by a desire for power. He argues that a strong, absolute sovereign is necessary to prevent the 'war of all against all,' making power the central mechanism for maintaining social stability and security.

The correct associations are: G.W.F. Hegel with Dialectical Idealism, Jean-Jacques Rousseau with the General Will, Thomas Hobbes with the concept of the Sovereign, and John Locke with the idea of the Commonwealth. These thinkers represent critical milestones in the development of Western political theory, each contributing distinct frameworks for understanding the relationship between the individual, the state, and the nature of political authority.

This quote is taken directly from Thomas Hobbes's seminal work, 'Leviathan.' It encapsulates his theory of the social contract, where individuals collectively surrender their natural rights and absolute freedom to a sovereign power in exchange for security and the maintenance of civil order, thereby escaping the chaos of the state of nature.

Thomas Hobbes' social contract is considered unilateral because the people surrender their rights to the sovereign, who is not a party to the contract and thus remains unbound by it. The statement that it is bilateral is incorrect. Conversely, Locke's contract is bilateral, as it involves mutual obligations between the people and the government, which can be dissolved if the government fails to protect natural rights.

In the context of social contract theory, particularly in the works of Thomas Hobbes, the 'Fundamental Law of Nature' is the rational precept that individuals should seek peace and follow it to preserve their own lives. While the state of nature is characterized by conflict, the fundamental law dictates that reason directs humans to pursue security and cooperation as a means of self-preservation, which eventually leads to the formation of a commonwealth.

Hobbes defines felicity not as a state of permanent contentment or tranquility, but as the continuous progress of desire. He argues that because human desires are never fully satisfied, happiness is found in the successful pursuit of one's goals over time. This dynamic view of human motivation is central to his understanding of why individuals constantly seek power and security in the state of nature.

Thomas Hobbes, the author of Leviathan, died on December 4, 1679, at Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, England. He was residing there under the protection of the Cavendish family, who were his long-time patrons. This event marked the end of a significant life dedicated to political philosophy and the study of sovereignty.

Hobbes argued that in the state of nature, there is no justice or injustice because there is no common power to enforce laws. Consequently, individuals have a 'right of nature' to everything, including the bodies of others, which effectively means they have no stable, enforceable rights or property, leading to a state of perpetual war.

Hobbes argues that in the absence of a governing authority, human nature is dominated by selfish desires and fear. He describes the life of man in the state of nature as 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' This pessimistic view of human nature serves as the primary justification for the necessity of an absolute sovereign to maintain peace.