Thomas Hobbes, a prominent 17th-century philosopher, rejected the notion of divine right because he believed that the authority of rulers should not be derived from God but rather from a social contract among individuals. In his seminal work, Leviathan, Hobbes argued that humans in their natural state are in constant conflict, driven by self-interest and fear of death.
Hobbes posited that to escape this chaotic state of nature, individuals consent to give up certain freedoms and submit to the authority of a sovereign. This sovereign’s power is not divinely ordained but is legitimized through the collective agreement of the governed. Hobbes’ commitment to a rational basis for political authority marks a significant departure from the traditional view that rulers are chosen by God.
By rejecting the divine right of kings, Hobbes laid the groundwork for modern political philosophy, emphasizing the importance of societal agreement in legitimizing authority and the role of reason in governance.