A Methodological Look to The Social Contract Theory of Thomas Hobbes

The theory of "social contract" is one of the most important post-Renaissance theories which is about the origin of sovereignty and government in the Western world. Any theory posed in the human sciences is influenced by the philosophical foundations of ontology, epistemology, and anthropology itself that the study of these bases and how they relate to the theory is called "fundamental methodology." This paper examines the theory of the social contract of Hobbes with the descriptive and analytical method and with the approach of "fundamental methodology" and has tried to explain Hobbes's philosophical foundations and how it affects the theory of his social contract. Ontologically, his ontology is based on humanism, subjectivity, and secularism. Epistemologically, Hobbes has been influenced by two trends of authenticity of experience and authenticity of reason. He also left the sacred rationality behind. Anthropologically, he has been influenced by the mechanical look to man and the pessimistic perception of human nature.