Question

Who supported the enlightenment idea that people are naturally selfish?

Answer 1

The answer is Thomas Hobbes.  He viewed that people were imperfect.  These imperfections included being selfish as well as cruel and greedy.  The only that this could be contained is through the rule of a strong government where people must relinquish some of their rights if they want to be part of society.

Answer 2

Answer:

Thomas Hobbes.

Explanation:

The primary significant figure in the English Enlightenment was the political philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who started his occupation as an instructor but branched out to philosophy about the age of thirty. In Leviathan, Hobbes develops on the creation of man and supports the absolutist control. Because of Hobbes' realistic aspect of human nature, he thought the only kind of administration effective adequately to operate humanity's evil thoughts in line was an independent sovereignty, where a king exercised highest and unchecked authority over his nationals.