Robert Filmer

Filmer discusses the intricate relationship between monarchy and familial authority, grounding political power in the patriarchal structure. In his most famous work, "Patriarcha", he asserts that just as a father holds sway over his household, so too should a king command absolute authority over his subjects. This perspective posits that the state mirrors a family, with Adam as the original king and source of sovereign power. Filmer’s method of reinforcing his arguments relies heavily on biblical references, particularly from the Old Testament, although critics like John Locke often challenged the validity of these interpretations.\n\nCentral to Filmer’s philosophy is the notion of the divine right of kings, which he fervently defended during a time of political upheaval in England. While his ideas sparked substantial debate and were vigorously rebutted by figures such as John Locke and Algernon Sidney, they also contributed significantly to the discourse on governance. By critiquing political thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Milton, Filmer engaged with the revolutionary ideologies of his era. His writing serves as a key reference point for understanding the tensions between monarchy and emergent republicanism. As a political theorist, his insights are invaluable to those studying the evolution of governmental structures, offering a perspective that underscores the historical foundations of royalist thought.