Thomas hobbes leviathan main points

Here you go! Spoiler Alert! Here is a link for you to get the book. Let us know what you think about this book and the summary in the comment section at the end of the page. Hobbes argues for the necessity of absolute sovereignty to prevent chaos and violence. He suggests that humans are naturally selfish and competitive, leading to conflict without governance.

Its strong support for absolute authority and critique of religion shocked contemporary society. His theories still influence debates around governmental power and individual rights. For a deeper look at Leviathan and to explore its strengths and weaknesses, visit our full review. Are you looking for a nice read that perfectly fits your current mood?

Here is a free book suggestion tool. It gives you suggestions based on your taste. Also a likelihood rating for each recommended book. Would you like to find the book you will love later or now? Thomas Hobbes was a British philosopher known for his foundational theories on politics and society. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern political philosophy.

Thomas hobbes leviathan main points

We hope you found this synopsis of Leviathan engaging. Summaries are just the beginning, much like trailers for movies. Ready to explore more? Here is the link to buy Leviathan. If you are the original author of any book on our site and wish for it to be removed, please contact us. Your email address will not be published. Of the three, Hobbes prefers monarchies because assemblies are more likely to divide themselves into rival factions, jeopardizing the total obedience subjects owe under the sovereign covenant.

After all, he argues, an individual cannot obey two masters. The SuperSummary difference. Having willingly subjected themselves to a sovereign ruler, subjects must accept any and all behavior by the sovereign as if it is their own. To Hobbes, that means sovereigns are not subject to civil law or criticism of their actions, except in cases when honest counsel is requested by the ruler.

The only conditions under which the covenant between sovereign and subject may be broken is if the army of a foreign state vanquishes the sovereign ruler, thereby rendering the sovereign unable to protect his or her subjects as promised in the original pact. Having established the natural laws that govern humankind, and having argued in favor of a commonwealth led by a single sovereign ruler as the most just form of government under those laws, Hobbes presents a lengthy argument as to why spiritual and ecclesiastical leaders like the pope must also be subordinate to civil sovereigns.

For Hobbes, the chief question pertaining to this concern is: How do Christians maintain obedience to both God and their civil sovereigns—particularly if, as Hobbes argues earlier, a human cannot serve two masters? Hobbes traces the lineage of Jewish and Christian sovereigns from Abraham to Moses, then to the office of the high priest, and later the era of Jewish kings that began with Saul.

Of Christ, Hobbes writes that Jesus was not considered a civil sovereign by his followers but rather one who was anointed to become king only upon his second coming. Their power, however, was of a persuasive nature rather than a coercive nature. Hobbes views the pope in similar terms, as a figure whose purpose is to preach and instruct but not to rule as a sovereign in dominions outside his own.

View Collection. Study Guide. In careful interpretation of scripture, Hobbes claims that there is no eternal soul that is punished or rewarded eternally in hell or heaven, and that there are no incorporeal spirits interacting with this world. In fact, he concludes, all that is necessary for proper worship of God is to obey civil laws in his absence, and to maintain faith in Him.

Lastly, in Part four Hobbes paints a stark picture of what human life is like when not lived according to the principles he has set forth. He calls this benighted social state the Kingdom of Darkness, which is not 'hell' as conceived in religious dogma, but which is instead life of ceaseless manipulation by others. Hobbes argues that the main causes of "spiritual darkness" are the belief in the presence of the Kingdom of God on earth, and the philosophical and historical doctrines that perpetuate this falsehood.

In particular, Hobbes attacks Aristotle's philosophy of essentialism for giving credence to the belief in eternal souls and immaterial spirits, as well as many tenets of Catholicism, especially the papacy. The Question and Answer section for Leviathan is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Hobbes overall project is to explain by what reasons a commonwealth may govern men, and then to establish the best possible way for this government to function in order to accommodate the desires of its denizens.

Excerpts from Leviathan. I'm sorry, you will need to provide the excerpt in question. Please include all information in your posts. Leviathan study guide contains a biography of Thomas Hobbes, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.