For centuries, political theory has been dominated by the idea that people are not equal. This idea that some were good for some things and not others massively shaped the theories that resulted. However, in Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan we see a move away from this inequality. The argument of the equality of people and the state of man that he develops from that belief are central not only to his theory but to the world of political science today. It is his examination of the equality of people, followed by the state of nature and war, and finally his look at the various laws of nature that lead a natural path towards his political solution. Hobbes's claim that all people are equal is no small deviation from past political philosophy. It is indeed so revolutionary that some of those who follow Hobbes will claim that various races or genders have a higher standard by nature. Hobbes, however, says: "Nature has made men so equal in the faculties of body and mind, insomuch that, though sometimes one man is found manifestly stronger in body, or with a quicker mind than another, yet when all is taken into account together, the difference between man and man is not so considerable as that one man can claim for himself some benefit to which another cannot claim as much as he." (Hobbes and Macpherson, 1968, p. 183). It is certainly confusing that he chooses to use clearly gendered language throughout the text. However, other than this choice of word, there is no clear indication that he intends this as a gender statement. In fact, in his sections on parental authority it is quite clear that a man and a woman are equal. It is easy to extend this thought to say that he believes that all people and not all men are the same. If these are...... middle of paper...... essentially extensions of humans, the only way to prevent war is to ensure that no more than one commonwealth exists. And while this may seem like a terrifying thought to some, it is wonderful logic that Hobbes proposes. In moving from a state of equality to its laws of nature one can not only see how it comes to the conclusion that it does so, but also how some of these laws would create a more progressive system than even our modern world has provided us with. Part of the genius of many philosophers is that their philosophy allows for advances and implications that they themselves may not have seen or foreseen. While this is often a double-edged sword, there is no denying that Hobbes' ideas of equality are revolutionary not only for his time but for hundreds of years after. Works CitedHobbes, T., & Macpherson, C.B. (1968). Leviathan. London, England: Penguin Books.