Even though some of them can’t be translated directly into the modern world (like, for example, the conflict between religious and civil authority), you can still draw parallels and take some notes.Īlthough Leviathan itself poses some pretty solid and interesting ideas, it is easy to see that most of them have been severely influenced, if not outright distorted, by passing through the prism of the author’s subjective worldview. The issues of a state of nature Hobbes discusses within his work are still more than relevant today. The Leviathan book is, without a doubt, a more than an interesting specimen of a school of philosophical thought of its time. Let's dive into analysis of the Leviathan with our custom argumentative essay writing service But ultimately, it gives extremely valuable insight into the mind of political philosophers of the time.

It can be quite a difficult read considering how long ago it was written and the need to constantly reference the whole historical context. A strong ruling hand to combat the chaos and brutality of human nature (which at that point in time manifested in the Civil War).

Despite all its flaws, he considers it a necessary form of government over human society. The author, English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, argues for the benefits of sovereign rule. This makes the question of the state of nature Hobbes raises a natural reflection of its time. It is important to understand that the backdrop for the Leviathan book was the English Civil war. In its essence, the book Leviathan is one of the first pieces that covered the questions of societal contract and forms of power. So in order to save some time, it’s more commonly referred to as just “Leviathan.” Sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it? But it can be quite a mouthful. The full name of the book is Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil.

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