"The condition of man is a condition of war of everyone against everyone"

Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century philosopher, famously asserted that human life in its natural state is essentially a relentless competition—each person against the other. He observed that without a strong central authority to impose order, humanity’s default mode is one of constant conflict and fear, driven by our basic instincts and desires. Left unchecked, people would constantly be at each other’s throats, vying for resources, power, and survival.

Hobbes penned these thoughts during the English Civil War, a period of intense turmoil and chaos. The war was a brutal reminder of how societal breakdown can lead to widespread violence and distrust. Without governance or laws, Hobbes argued, individuals would act on their most selfish impulses, resulting in what he called the "war of all against all."

Think about road rage as a modern-day example. Picture yourself driving home after a long day. Traffic is snarled, and tempers are flaring. Now, imagine there are no traffic laws—no speed limits, no right of way, no stop signs. It wouldn’t be long before chaos ensues, with everyone trying to get ahead, cutting each other off, honking horns, and possibly even having confrontations. It’s a scary thought but it illustrates Hobbes’ point perfectly. Without rules and some form of authority to enforce them, our roads would become battlegrounds.

So how do we apply this idea in our daily lives? First, recognize that structure and rules are necessary for harmony. Whether it's in our personal lives, workplaces, or larger communities, having a set of agreed-upon guidelines helps keep the peace. Second, understand the importance of cooperation. You don't need to always fight for your own self-interest to thrive. Sometimes, working together and making compromises leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Let me tell you a story that might hit home. I once worked for a startup. It was a small team, and we were all trying to prove ourselves. At first, it felt like every person for themselves—everyone was jockeying for position and recognition. Projects stalled because we were more interested in outdoing each other than collaborating. It was exhausting, and honestly, it made the workplace toxic. Then, our manager called a meeting and laid it out for us, Hobbes-style. He pointed out that our constant infighting was our downfall. We needed to work together if we wanted the company—and ourselves—to succeed. Once we started communicating better and sharing responsibilities, things improved. The office atmosphere changed, and we started hitting our targets. We learned the hard way that cooperation could lead to better results than competition.

In essence, Hobbes saw human nature for what it often is—self-interested and competitive. But we have the power to rise above that. By creating systems of order and learning to cooperate, we can live fuller, more peaceful lives. We don’t have to be stuck in that warlike state he described. We can choose a different path. It’s up to us to decide.