ABSTRACT
Scientific thought in the seventeenth century was not long contained within the realm of natural philosophy. The work of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke exemplifies this new approach. Both philosophers were heavily influenced by the new natural philosophy as formulated by Bacon. For Hobbes and Locke alike, this meant that people have the capacity to form their own governments. Hobbes incorporated this idea into his political thought by making the secular order superior to the religious. Hobbes's work was revolutionary for the times and represents an important link between natural science and the evolution of modern political thought. Hobbes's definitions of science and philosophy remained remarkably consistent throughout his works. In politics as well as science, Hobbes emphasized the importance of method. Hobbes's categorization of the sciences is particularly interesting, for while he excludes history from the realm of science, he does include politics. Hobbes draws a direct parallel between the study of nature and the study of politics.
