What was Hobbes' primary belief about human existence?

Hobbes' primary belief about human existence centers around the idea that humans are fundamentally driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power, as illustrated in his work "Leviathan." He asserts that in a natural state, individuals act out of fear and a desire for self-preservation, which can lead to chaos and conflict without an overarching authority to maintain order.

While the choice about phenomena being composed of matter reflects a materialistic view that Hobbes might have engaged with, his focus was more on the implications of this belief regarding human behavior and society. This materialist perspective underpins his understanding of human interactions and governance, whereby human actions are often motivated by physical desires rather than moral considerations. In contrast, Hobbes did not emphasize moral considerations as a driving force; instead, he argued that morality is a construct developed through social contracts to maintain peace and security.

Moreover, the mention of the separation of powers relates more to political theory articulated by later thinkers like Montesquieu, rather than Hobbes' central philosophy which favored a strong, centralized authority to keep humanity’s darker impulses in check. Thus, the correct choice offers insight into Hobbes' foundational views on human nature as inherently linked to materialist perspectives and self-preservation.