Thomas Hobbes Criticism
Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) stands as a central figure in English philosophy, best known for his seminal work Leviathan (1651), which Michael Oakeshott praised as a masterpiece of political philosophy. In Leviathan, Hobbes famously depicted human life in nature as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," advocating for the establishment of a social contract to escape this natural state of perpetual war. This contract forms the basis for a sovereign power, the "Leviathan," to maintain peace and order with absolute authority. Hobbes's materialist view that the universe and reality are corporeal, dismissing the immaterial, stirred significant controversy, particularly among religious circles. His dismissal of Aristotelian ideas and the assertion that the Church must be subordinate to the State fueled further critique.
Hobbes's mechanistic perspective, influenced by Galileo, saw human and societal functions as movements akin to physical processes, revealing his preference for empirical over traditional views. His work, characterized by an accessible style and bold secularism, challenged theological standpoints prevalent in his time, as noted by Gooch who highlighted Hobbes's role in shifting from theological to secular thought.
Hobbes's biography reveals a life shaped by fear and contention, as he believed he was born amid threats from the Spanish Armada. Educated from a young age and influenced by travels on the continent, Hobbes was deeply moved by Euclidean geometry, which he sought to apply to political theory. His relationships with scholars such as Galileo and Ben Jonson enriched his intellectual pursuits.
Hobbes's major works, starting with Elementorum Philosophiae and culminating in Leviathan, reflect his belief in the necessity of a powerful sovereign to prevent societal collapse. His ideas on the natural equality of all humans and the relentless pursuit of self-interest underscore the need for a binding social contract. Despite his contributions, Hobbes faced accusations of atheism and heresy, as indicated by the fierce reactions from contemporaries and the burning of his works at Oxford in 1683, as noted by Dewey. However, Hobbes's ideas, particularly his secularism and empirical approach to human nature, continue to influence and provoke scholarly debate, cementing his place in the canon of Western political philosophy, as discussed by Stephen and Taylor.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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The State
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Stephen examines Hobbes's conception of both the law of nature and the social contract.
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Empirical Psychology—The Nature of Man
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In the following excerpt, Taylor explores Hobbes's views regarding humankind's transition from a 'state of anarchy into a state of settled order.'
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Hobbes
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Gooch offers an overview of Hobbes's political philosophy and suggests that he was instrumental in the "atmospheric change which substituted the secular for the theological standpoint."
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Hobbes's Leviathan
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In the following essay, Russell examines the doctrines of Leviathan, noting that Hobbes's main limitations are his fear of anarchy, overemphasis on the national interest, and misunderstanding of relations between states.
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The Motivation of Hobbes's Political Philosophy
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In the following excerpt, Dewey examines Hobbes's political philosophy in historical context. He aims to place Hobbes's political philosophy in its own historic context, highlighting the illusion of perspective in the history of thought and the specific problems of Hobbes's time, particularly the conflict of church and state.
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The Ideological Context of Hobbes's Political Thought
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In the following excerpt, Skinner explores Hobbes's contemporary reputation and rejects the claim that he was isolated ideologically.
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An introduction to Hobbes on Civil Association
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In the following excerpt from his introduction to Leviathan, Oakeshott discusses what philosophy meant to Hobbes, and how to approach reading him.
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Theory and Transformation: The Politics of Enlightment
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In the following excerpt, Johnston considers Hobbes's purpose in presenting the theological arguments in the second half of Leviathan.
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Hobbes and the Beginnings of Modern Political Thought
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In the following excerpt, Saxonhouse discusses three newly-attributed, pre-scientific writings of the young Hobbes.
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The State
(summary)
- Further Reading