Synopses & Reviews
A cornerstone of modern western philosophy, addressing the role of man in government, society and religion
In 1651, Hobbes published his work about the relationship between the government and the individual. More than four centuries old, this brilliant yet ruthless book analyzes not only the bases of government but also physical nature and the roles of man.
Comparable to Plato's Republic in depth and insight, Leviathan includes two society-changing phenomena that Plato didn't dare to dream of -- the rise of great nation-states with their claims to absolute sovereignty, and modern science, with its unprecedented analytic power. To Hobbes, the leviathan -- a mythical sea creature described in the Old Testament -- represented his central thesis: that the state must be strong in order to control and protect its citizens. Even today, Hobbes's thesis in Leviathan is debated among scholars and philosophy aficionados around the globe.
One of the earliest attempts at a genuinely scientific understanding of politics and society in their modern form, this book also remains one of the most stimulating. In his timeless work, Hobbes outlines his ideas about the passions and the conduct of man, and how his theories are realized in every individual. Addressing free will and religion, Hobbes constructs an intelligent argument for the basis of religion within government and how to organize a peaceful and successful Christian commonwealth.
Like Plato's Republic, this book contains ideas on psychology, ethics, law, language, and religion that continue to challenge modern thinkers and exercise a profound influence on Western thought. A classic treatise of philosophy, Leviathan is critical reading for anyone who wishes to examine the human mind through the prisms of government and society.
Synopsis
A cornerstone of modern western philosophy, addressing the role of man in government, society and religion
In 1651, Hobbes published his work about the relationship between the government and the individual. More than four centuries old, this brilliant yet ruthless book analyzes not only the bases of government but also physical nature and the roles of man.
Comparable to Plato's Republic in depth and insight, Leviathan includes two society-changing phenomena that Plato didn't dare to dream of -- the rise of great nation-states with their claims to absolute sovereignty, and modern science, with its unprecedented analytic power. To Hobbes, the leviathan -- a mythical sea creature described in the Old Testament -- represented his central thesis: that the state must be strong in order to control and protect its citizens. Even today, Hobbes's thesis in Leviathan is debated among scholars and philosophy aficionados around the globe.
One of the earliest attempts at a genuinely scientific understanding of politics and society in their modern form, this book also remains one of the most stimulating. In his timeless work, Hobbes outlines his ideas about the passions and the conduct of man, and how his theories are realized in every individual. Addressing free will and religion, Hobbes constructs an intelligent argument for the basis of religion within government and how to organize a peaceful and successful Christian commonwealth.
Like Plato's Republic, this book contains ideas on psychology, ethics, law, language, and religion that continue to challenge modern thinkers and exercise a profound influence on Western thought. A classic treatise of philosophy, Leviathan is critical reading for anyone who wishes to examine the human mind through the prisms of government and society.
About the Author
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was one of the founding fathers of modern philosophy and a scholar, philosopher, and the author of several books on political and religious philosophy. Leviathan is considered Hobbes's principal and most influential work.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Author's Introduction
The First Part / Of Man
1 Of Sense
2 Of Imagination
3 Of the Consequence or Train of Imaginations
4 Of Speech
5 Of Reason and Science
6 Of the Interior Beginnings of Voluntary Motions, commonly called the Passions; and the Speeches by which they are expressed
7 Of the Ends or Resolutions of Discourse
8 Of the Virtues, commonly called Intellectual; and their contrary Defects
9 Of the Several Subjects of Knowledge
10 Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
11 Of the Difference of Manners
12 Of Religion
13 Of the Natural Condition of Mankind as concerning their Felicity and Misery
14 Of the First and Second Natural Laws, and of Contracts
15 Of other Laws of Nature
16 Of Persons, Authors, and Things Personated
The Second Part / Of Commonwealth
17 Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a Commonwealth
18 Of the Rights of Sovereigns by Institution
19 Of the several kinds of Commonwealth by Institution; and of Succession to the Sovereign Power
20 Of Dominion Paternal, and Despotical
21 Of the Liberty of Subjects
22 Of Systems Subject, Political, and Private
23 Of the Public Ministers of Sovereign Power
24 Of the Nutrition, and Procreation of a Commonwealth
25 Of Counsel
26 Of Civil Laws
27 Of Crimes, Excuses, and Extenuations
28 Of Punishments, and Rewards
29 Of those things that weaken, or tend to the Dissolution of a Commonwealth
30 Of the Office of the Sovereign Representative
31 Of the Kingdom of God by Nature
The Third Part / Of a Christian Commonwealth
32 Of the Principles of Christian Politics
33 Of the Number, Antiquity, Scope, Authority, and Interpreters of the Books of Holy Scripture
34 Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration, in the Books of Holy Scripture
35 Of the Signification in Scripture of the Kingdom of God, of Holy, Sacred, and Sacrament
36 Of the Word of God, and of Prophets
37 Of Miracles, and their Use
38 Of the Signification in Scripture of Eternal Life, Hell, Salvation, the World to Come, and Redemption
39 Of the Signification in Scripture of the word Church
40 Of the Rights of the Kingdom of God, in Abraham, Moses, the High-Priests, and the Kings of Judah
41 Of the Office of Our Blessed Saviour
42 Of Power Ecclesiastical
43 Of what is Necessary for a Man's Reception into the Kingdom of Heaven
The Fourth Part / Of the Kingdom of Darkness
44 Of Spiritual Darkness, from Misinterpretation of Scripture
45 Of Demonology, and other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles
46 Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy, and Fabulous Traditions
47 Of the Benefit that proceedeth from such Darkness; and to whom it accrueth
A Review, and Conclusion