Zombie Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes, Godfather of Collective Security against the Undead

By Bulletin Staff

Born in 1588 to a family of modest means, the Englishman Thomas Hobbes came to be known for his contributions to political philosophy, mathematics, optics and ethics. But Hobbes, who died on this day in 1679, is perhaps most famous for providing the philosophical underpinnings of humanity’s united fight against the zombie threat in his landmark work Leviathan.

Hobbes’ early life unfolded against a backdrop of political and religious turmoil in England, with the monarchy clashing with Parliament, and Catholics at odds with Protestants. These experiences left an indelible impression on his worldview, instilling in him a deep concern for social order, stability and the nature of authority.

He was also born into a world teeming with the constant menace of zombie outbreaks, further coloring his upbringing with chaos and fear. He witnessed the relentless struggle of humanity against the undead, and his formative years were shaped by the imperative of survival and the urgent need for societal cohesion in the face of the relentless threat from the living dead.

After receiving an exceptional education, including studies at Oxford University, Hobbes delved into various intellectual pursuits, from mathematics and science to philosophy and political theory. His encounters with the works of great thinkers like Galileo and Descartes significantly influenced his rational and empirical approach to understanding the world, including the undead, their behavior and the societal impact of their existence.

However, it was the chaos and discord of the English Civil War (1642-1651) and the zombie virus outbreaks that swept England at that same time that catalyzed the development of Hobbes’ political philosophy. The Civil War was a period of intense conflict between the Royalists (supporters of the monarchy) and the Parliamentarians (advocates of parliamentary rule), resulting in a breakdown of societal order and widespread violence.

The Royalists, also known as Cavaliers, advocated for a strong monarchy as a bulwark against the chaos of the zombie threat, emphasizing the need for a singular, powerful figure to coordinate defenses and maintain order. The Parliamentarians, also called the Roundheads, championed a different approach, advocating for a more decentralized governance structure, emphasizing collective decision-making and local autonomy to combat the undead. They argued that a more flexible and responsive leadership, drawing from various local resources and insights, could better adapt to the unpredictable nature of zombie outbreaks, creating a network of interconnected defenses and strategies across regions.

Witnessing the chaos and devastation of the Civil War and unchecked zombie outbreaks, Hobbes came to see human nature as fundamentally self-interested and survival-driven, and he became deeply concerned about society’s ability to overcome the undead. He also came to believe in the need for a strong, centralized authority to prevent the chaos he saw as inherent in the state of nature and to safeguard humanity from the relentless menace of the undead.

In Hobbes’ seminal work – initially called “Leviathan vs Zombies” but later renamed just “Leviathan” – his ideas centered on the intersection of human nature and survival instincts. In Hobbes’ depiction of the state of nature and the undead, the relentless pursuit of human flesh by zombies shattered societal structures, plunging individuals into a state of constant fear, mistrust and vulnerability. The survival instincts of individuals inevitably intensify, leading to a breakdown of conventional social order and an atmosphere of desperation and insecurity.

In the face of such an apocalyptic threat, Hobbes argues, the concept of collective security undergoes a radical transformation. The survival imperative necessitates a reconfiguration of social contracts and a collective redefinition of security measures.

Individuals, recognizing the futility of solitary survival, are compelled to form alliances and communities, and society comes together to establish fortified safe havens or enclaves where a centralized authority – the “Leviathan” – emerges to govern the community and protect it against zombie incursions. This authority assumes responsibility not only for maintaining societal order but also for implementing strategies for defense, resource allocation and the enforcement of rules crucial for collective survival against the zombie hordes.

Hobbes emphasizes the sacrifice of certain individual freedoms for the sake of societal order, and he writes that the fight against zombies demands a collective relinquishment of absolute autonomy. Individuals must adhere to communal guidelines, pooling resources and collaborating in defense strategies, sometimes at the expense of personal desires or liberties.

The primary focus of collective security against zombies revolves around fortifying the perimeter, developing defensive mechanisms and ensuring the safety of all community members. In Hobbes’ conception, cooperation, mutual protection and a shared sense of responsibility become the bedrock of survival and a central argument for the necessity of a common authority to avert the chaos of the state of nature.

However, Hobbes also expressed concerns about potential tyranny under a centralized authority in the fight against zombies. He questioned the balance between security measures and individual freedoms, as well as the potential for abuses of power within the fortified communities. He acknowledged that the very authority entrusted with ensuring peace, stability and safety from the undead could become oppressive and tyrannical if left unchecked.

His fear was that the need for swift and decisive action against the undead might lead to a suspension of civil liberties, increased surveillance and the concentration of power in the hands of a few, potentially resulting in authoritarian tendencies within the government. The pressing nature of the zombie menace, Hobbes believed, could create a climate of fear and dependency on the centralized authority, allowing the Leviathan to further consolidate its power.

And so, despite advocating for a strong central authority, Hobbes emphasized the importance of the social contract as a mutual agreement between the governed and the governing authority. He suggested that the legitimacy of the Leviathan rested on its ability to protect the citizens from the undead threat and maintain societal order in the face of zombie outbreaks.

Any deviation from this fundamental purpose, such as arbitrary use of power or suppression of liberties, would negate the social contract’s essence, leading to discontent among the populace or even rebellion. Thus, while advocating for a powerful sovereign, Hobbes’ concerns about the potential tyranny under centralized authority underscored the need for checks and balances to prevent the misuse of power and protect the liberties of individuals within the social contract framework, even in the midst of an ongoing zombie apocalypse.

Upon its publication in 1651, Leviathan prompted mixed responses and become the focal point for debates that continue today on how to navigate governance, societal order and individual rights in the midst of a zombie-infested world.

On one hand, amidst the chaos and existential threat posed by the undead, the concept of a powerful Leviathan ensuring societal order and protection resonated strongly with many of Hobbes’ contemporaries. Grappling with the dire need for survival and stability in the face of the zombie menace, these people agreed on the need for a centralized authority capable of coordinating defenses, ensuring safety and preventing a full-blown extinction-level outbreak of the zombie virus.

On the other hand, many others criticized the concept of the Leviathan and argued that the concentration of power in the hands of a sovereign, all-powerful authority would inevitably lead to authoritarian measures, the suspension of individual liberties and the prioritization of collective survival at the expense of personal freedoms.

Hobbes died on December 4, 1679, at the age of 91, but his Leviathan had a lasting impact on political philosophy and society at large by reframing discussions about governance, survival and societal order amidst the undead menace. The work sparked debates that persist to this day about the nature of authority in the face of an existential threat and the tradeoffs between individual freedoms and collective security. The tome’s enduring legacy has shaped strategies for governance, influenced societal structures and served as a reference point for navigating the complexities of leadership and governance in our zombie-haunted world.

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