-Humans morally, intellectually and psychologically flawed- therefore doctrines and ideologies designed by humans are inherently flawed
-Human nature driven by self-interest
-'needy, vulnerable and easily led astray'
-No government or structure of society = 'a state of war'- humans only care about self-preservation
-Humans motivated by base desires and impulses: concept links to the idea of 'original sin' from the Bible
-Humans rely on tradition and culture for an identity and rootedness