This British philosopher is a seminal thinker in modern political philosophy. His ideas, grounded in mechanistic materialism, characterize human nature as driven by greed and the fear of death, thereby advocating for an absolute monarchy. He laid the groundwork for much of Western political philosophy through social contract theory, while also being a distinguished scholar of classical Greek history and literature.
The correspondence of Thomas Hobbes, a pivotal figure in European thought, is presented in this comprehensive edition, offering a fresh perspective on his intellectual contributions. Each letter is accompanied by detailed explanatory notes, along with extensive biographical and bibliographical information. This landmark publication enhances understanding of Hobbes's life and ideas, reflecting the growing interest in his work and the context in which he wrote.
The English and Latin Texts
"The first volume contains the editorial introduction and the second and third volumes contain the texts, with annotations." from back cover.
The Leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace and security to be attained? Hobbes's answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods. Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry: he argues from first principles to human nature to politics. This book's appeal to the twentieth century lies not just in its elevation of politics to a science, but in its overriding concern for peace.
Ferdinand Tonnies presents two works by Thomas Hobbes, highlighting "The Elements of Law," Hobbes's inaugural systematic political treatise completed in 1640. This foundational text offers insight into Hobbes's philosophical development, serving as a precursor to his later political theories. It explores the intricacies of his thought process and lays the groundwork for understanding his contributions to political philosophy.
Thomas Hobbes, the royalist, is above all famous for his 'social contract theory', the appeal to the agreement that would be made among rational, free, and equal persons. His conclusion - that we should submit to the authority of an absolute and unlimited sovereign power - may not have found many followers, but his analysis remains unchallenged. John Locke, by contrast, was a parliamentarian. He argued that sovereignity resides with the people, and that the state is supreme only when bound by civil and natural law. It follows that revolution is not only a right, but sometimes an obligation. He was a strong supporter of religious freedom, and of a system of checks and balances in government. Many of his ideas were later embodied in the US constitution.
"Thomas Hobbes's essay on the social contract is both a founding text of western thought and a masterpiece of wit and imagination" -Robert McCrum ; The Guardian Leviathan is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and published in 1651. Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. Leviathan ranks as a classic Western work on statecraft comparable to Machiavelli's The Prince. Written during the English Civil War (1642-1651), Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could only be avoided by strong, undivided government. A True Classic for All Lovers of Political Philosophy!
"The first volume contains the editorial introduction and the second and third volumes contain the texts, with annotations." from back cover.
Exploring the structure of society and legitimate governance, this classic Western work delves into social contract theory, positioning itself alongside Machiavelli's The Prince. Written amidst the turmoil of the English Civil War, it advocates for a powerful, absolute sovereign as the solution to the chaos of a state of nature, where conflict prevails. Hobbes emphasizes that only through a strong, unified government can civil war be averted, making a compelling case for the necessity of authority in maintaining order.