Leviathan, written by Thomas Hobbes in 1651, explores the structure of society and legitimate government. The work argues for a social contract and the necessity of a strong central authority to avoid chaos and conflict. Hobbes delves into human nature, morality, and the relationship between protection and obedience. This edition is based on the Pelican Classics version, closely following the original text. Ideal for students of political philosophy and those interested in the foundations of modern political thought, Leviathan remains a crucial text in understanding governance and human behavior.

Key Points

  • Analyzes the social contract theory and its implications for governance
  • Explores the nature of human beings and their motivations in society
  • Discusses the necessity of a strong sovereign authority to maintain order
  • Examines the relationship between protection and obedience in a commonwealth
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Thomas Hobbes
608 pages
Language:English
Type:Book
Philosophy
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Thomas Hobbes
608 pages
Language:English
Type:Book
Philosophy
85
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L E V I AT H A N
By Thomas Hobbes
1651
LEVIATHAN OR THE MATTER,
FORME, & POWER OF A COMMON-WEALTH
ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVILL
Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury
Printed for Andrew Crooke,
at the Green Dragon
in St. Paul’s Churchyard,
1651.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES ON THE E-TEXT:
This E-text was prepared from the Pelican
Classics edition of Leviathan, which in turn was
prepared from the first edition. I have tried to follow
as closely as possible the original, and to give the
flavour of the text that Hobbes himself proof-read,
but the following differences were unavoidable.
Hobbes used capitals and italics very extensively,
for emphasis, for proper names, for quotations, and
sometimes, it seems, just because.
The original has very extensive margin notes,
which are used to show where he introduces the
definitions of words and concepts, to give in short
the subject that a paragraph or section is dealing
with, and to give references to his quotations, largely
but not exclusively biblical. To some degree, these
margin notes seem to have been intended to serve
in place of an index, the original having none. They
are all in italics.
He also used italics for words in other languages
than English, and there are a number of Greek
words, in the Greek alphabet, in the text.
To deal with these within the limits of plain vanilla
ASCII, I have done the following in this E-text.
I have restricted my use of full capitalization to
those places where Hobbes used it, except in the
chapter headings, which I have fully capitalized,
where Hobbes used a mixture of full capitalization
and italics.
Where it is clear that the italics are to indicate the
text is quoting, I have introduced quotation marks.
Within quotation marks I have retained the
capitalization that Hobbes used.
Where italics seem to be used for emphasis, or for
proper names, or just because, I have capitalized
the initial letter of the words. This has the
disadvantage that they are not then distinguished
from those that Hobbes capitalized in plain text, but
/ 608
End of Document
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FAQs

What are the main themes of Hobbes' Leviathan?
The main themes of Hobbes' 'Leviathan' include the nature of human beings, the necessity of a strong central authority, and the social contract. Hobbes argues that humans are driven by a restless desire for power, leading to conflict and insecurity. He posits that to escape the chaos of a state of nature, individuals must collectively agree to form a commonwealth, surrendering some freedoms to a sovereign authority that ensures peace and security.
How does Hobbes define the state of nature?
Hobbes defines the state of nature as a condition where there is no common power to keep individuals in awe, resulting in a state of war of every man against every man. In this state, life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' He argues that in such a condition, there is no justice or injustice, as moral concepts cannot exist without a common authority.
What is the significance of the social contract in Leviathan?
The social contract is central to Hobbes' political theory, as it represents the agreement among individuals to form a commonwealth. By entering into this contract, individuals consent to relinquish certain rights in exchange for the protection and order provided by a sovereign authority. This contract is essential for establishing civil society and preventing the chaos of the state of nature.
What does Hobbes say about the nature of power and authority?
Hobbes discusses power as the ability to produce effects and asserts that authority is derived from the consent of the governed. He argues that a sovereign must possess absolute power to maintain peace and prevent conflict. The legitimacy of authority, therefore, comes from the collective agreement of individuals who have surrendered their rights to ensure their safety and security.
How does Hobbes describe human passions in Leviathan?
Hobbes describes human passions as the internal drives that motivate behavior, including desires, aversions, and emotions. He categorizes passions into vital and animal motions, emphasizing that they influence human actions and decisions. Understanding these passions is crucial for Hobbes, as they shape the social interactions and conflicts that arise in the state of nature.
What are Hobbes' views on religion in relation to civil authority?
Hobbes views religion as a natural seed of human belief, arising from the desire to understand causes and the fear of the unknown. He argues that religion should not conflict with civil authority, as the sovereign must maintain peace and order. Hobbes critiques the power of religious institutions that challenge the authority of the state, suggesting that civil power should govern religious practices to prevent discord.
What is Hobbes' perspective on justice and injustice?
Hobbes defines justice as the keeping of covenants and agreements made under the social contract. In his view, injustice occurs when individuals fail to uphold these agreements. He emphasizes that justice is not inherent but rather a construct that arises from the need for social order, making it contingent upon the existence of a common authority to enforce it.

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