Thomas Hobbes's major contribution was his idea of the social contract and the need for a strong central authority to prevent chaos and ensure order in society.
Thomas Hobbes's major contribution to the early Enlightenment was his idea of the social contract and the necessity of a strong central authority to maintain peace and order. He argued that in a state of nature, humans would engage in a constant war of all against all, leading to chaos and insecurity.
Through his work Leviathan, Hobbes emphasized the importance of individuals surrendering some of their rights to a powerful sovereign in exchange for protection and stability. His ideas influenced later Enlightenment thinkers and contributed to the development of political theory regarding the role of government and human nature.
Contrary to Rousseau's views on the consent of the governed, Hobbes believed in a more authoritarian form of governance where absolute power was necessary to prevent disorder and maintain social harmony.