Leviathan

Definition

Leviathan is a book written by Thomas Hobbes in 1651, which argues for a strong central authority to prevent societal chaos and maintain order. Hobbes depicts the state as a 'mortal god' that has the power to enforce laws and protect its citizens, highlighting the necessity of a powerful sovereign in establishing peace and preventing civil conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes wrote Leviathan during the English Civil War, reflecting his concerns about disorder and violence in society.
2. The book emphasizes the need for a social contract where individuals surrender some of their freedoms to a sovereign power for security and peace.
3. Hobbes' idea of the Leviathan as an artificial person illustrates how a unified state can represent the collective will of its people.
4. The work critiques individualism and argues that only a strong government can prevent society from descending into chaos.
5. Leviathan has had a lasting impact on political philosophy, influencing later thinkers like Rousseau and Locke regarding governance and human nature.

Review Questions

• How does Hobbes' concept of the social contract in Leviathan reflect the fears of his time regarding civil conflict?
  • Hobbes' social contract is rooted in the fears arising from the English Civil War, where he witnessed firsthand the consequences of political instability and violence. In Leviathan, he argues that individuals must relinquish certain freedoms to a strong central authority to maintain order and prevent chaos. By doing so, people can secure their safety and ensure peace, reflecting Hobbes' belief that without such an agreement, society would revert to a state of nature characterized by fear and conflict.
• Discuss how Hobbes' portrayal of the Leviathan as a 'mortal god' serves to justify absolutism in governance.
  • In depicting the Leviathan as a 'mortal god,' Hobbes justifies absolutism by emphasizing that only a powerful sovereign can effectively wield authority over chaotic human impulses. This metaphor suggests that the state embodies collective power and authority, which must be absolute to ensure compliance with laws and stability. Hobbes argues that such concentration of power prevents descent into violence and anarchy, making it essential for maintaining social order and protecting citizens.
• Evaluate the implications of Hobbes' ideas in Leviathan for modern political thought, particularly in relation to the balance between individual rights and governmental authority.
  • Hobbes' ideas in Leviathan have significant implications for modern political thought, especially concerning the ongoing tension between individual rights and governmental authority. His assertion that security necessitates surrendering certain freedoms influences contemporary debates on civil liberties versus state power, especially in times of crisis. While some modern theorists advocate for stronger protections of individual rights against government overreach, others draw on Hobbes' arguments to support robust state intervention to maintain order. This dialogue highlights the relevance of Hobbesian thought in understanding contemporary governance challenges.

Related terms

Social Contract:

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules for mutual benefit and protection.

Absolutism:

A political doctrine where a single ruler holds absolute power over the state, often justified by divine right or the necessity of control.

State of Nature: A philosophical concept describing a hypothetical condition in which individuals exist without structured society, leading to chaos and conflict.