Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes
Description
Leviathan is a foundational text in political philosophy that explores the structure of society and legitimate government. Hobbes uses the metaphor of the Leviathan, a sea creature from biblical lore, to represent the powerful state that arises from the collective agreement of individuals. He argues that in a state of nature, humans are driven by self-interest and are in constant conflict, leading to a life that is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” To escape this chaos, individuals come together to form a social contract, agreeing to cede certain freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order.
Hobbes’s political theory is grounded in a materialist view of human nature, which posits that humans are motivated primarily by fear and self-preservation. He emphasizes the importance of a strong, centralized authority—whether a monarch or an assembly—to maintain peace and prevent the descent into anarchy. This sovereign power must be absolute to effectively control the inherently aggressive tendencies of human beings. The book challenges the divine right of kings and provides a secular justification for political authority, arguing that the legitimacy of the state derives from its ability to provide security rather than divine sanction.
Throughout, Hobbes engages with various philosophical and theological ideas, addressing the nature of human beings, morality, and the role of religion in society. He argues that civil laws should be based on social contracts rather than religious dictates, advocating for a separation between church and state.
Hobbes’s work laid the groundwork for later political theories, influencing thinkers such as Locke and Rousseau. Its enduring relevance in discussions about governance, individual rights, and the balance between liberty and security continues to resonate in contemporary political discourse.
Read free
This ebook is thought to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. It may still be under copyright in other countries. If you’re not located in the United States, you must check your local laws to verify that this ebook is free of copyright restrictions in the country you’re located in before accessing, downloading, or using it.
Download for ereaders
-
Compatible epub — All devices and apps except Kindles and Kobos.
-
azw3 — Kindle devices and apps. Also download the Kindle cover thumbnail to see the cover in your Kindle’s library. Despite what you’ve been told, Kindle does not natively support epub. You may also be interested in our Kindle FAQ.
-
kepub — Kobo devices and apps. You may also be interested in our Kobo FAQ.
-
Advanced epub — An advanced format that uses the latest technology not yet fully supported by most ereaders.
Read online
A brief history of this ebook
More details
Sources
Page scans
Other sources
Improve this ebook
Anyone can contribute to make a Standard Ebook better for everyone!
To report typos, typography errors, or other corrections, see how to report errors.
If you’re comfortable with technology and want to contribute directly, check out this ebook’s GitHub repository and our contributors section.
You can also donate to Standard Ebooks to help fund continuing improvement of this and other ebooks.