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Leviathan (Penguin Classics) Paperback – February 25, 1982

by Thomas Hobbes (Author), C. B. MacPherson (Introduction)

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"During the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called Warre"

Written during the turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan is an ambitious and highly original work of political philosophy. Claiming that man's essential nature is competitive and selfish, Hobbes formulates the case for a powerful sovereign—or "Leviathan"—to enforce peace and the law, substituting security for the anarchic freedom he believed human beings would otherwise experience. This worldview shocked many of Hobbes's contemporaries, and his work was publicly burnt for sedition and blasphemy when it was first published. But in his rejection of Aristotle's view of man as a naturally social being, and in his painstaking analysis of the ways in which society can and should function, Hobbes opened up a whole new world of political science.

Based on the original 1651 text, this edition incorporates Hobbes's own corrections, while also retaining the original spelling and punctuation, to read with vividness and clarity. C. B. Macpherson's introduction elucidates one of the most fascinating works of modern philosophy for the general reader.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

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From the Back Cover

Its appeal to the twentieth century lies not just in its elevation of politics to a science, but in its overriding concern for peace. Its argument that the state of nature, in which life is 'nasty, brutish and short (and patriarchal), is important, but so too is its systematic analysis of power, and its convincing apologia for the then emergent market society in which we still live.

About the Author

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was born in Malmesbury. Entering Magdalen Hall, Oxford, in 1603, he took his degree in 1608 and became tutor to the eldest son of Lord Cavendish of Hardwick, afterwards the Earl of Devonshire; his connection with this family was life-long. His first interest was in the classics, and his first published work a translation of Thucydides, in 1628. An interest in science and philosophy soon developed, heightened by extended travels in Europe in 1629-31 and 1634-37. This led to his great project of a political science. His first verson of this, The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic, was privately circulated in 1640, when Parliament was hotly disputing the king's powers, and Hobbes fled to Paris, where he stayed for eleven years.

A second version, De Cive, was published in 1642, and the third, Leviathan—the crowning achievement of his political science—in 1651. It was so influential that it came under widespread attack and was in danger of condemnation by the House of Commons. Hobbes perforce lived quietly and published little more on political matters. At the age of eighty-four he composed an autobiography in Latin verse, and within the next three years translated the whole of Homer's Odyssey and Iliad.

Series: Penguin Classics
Paperback: 736 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics; Fourth Edition edition (February 25, 1982)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0140431950
ISBN-13: 978-0140431957
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.3 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 215 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #76 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > History & Surveys
- #101 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Political
- #283 in Books > Reference > Foreign Language Study & Reference

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J. Hauck (Guerrilla Reader)Top Contributor: Photography

The First Modern Support and Defense of Social Contract Theory

May 27, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Review of "Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiastical and Civill (Leviathan)," by Thomas Hobbes (b. 1588- d. 1679). Hobbes was known for his views on how humans could thrive in harmony while avoiding the perils and fear of societal conflict. His experience during a time of upheaval in England influenced his thoughts and beliefs. "All of his works concern the structure of society and legitimate government, and Leviathan is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory when it was written during the English Civil War (1642-1651)." Hobbes believed that peace and effective rule could only be achieved through a strong central government. Leviathan argues for a social contract for the subjects through rule by an absolute sovereign. For example on page 164 in Chapter XXX Of the Office of the Soveraign Representative: "Such as are Necessary: For the use of Lawes, (which are but Rules Authorised) is not to bind the People from all Voluntary actions; but to direct and keep them in such as motion, as not to hurt themselves by their own impetuous desires, rashnesse, or indiscretion, as Hedges are set, not to stop Travellers, but to keep them in the way. And therefore a Law that is not Needful, having not the true End of a Law, is not Good. A Law may be conceived to be Good, when it is for the benefit of the Soveraign; though it be not Necessary for the People; but it is not so. For the good of the Soveraign and People, cannot be separated. It is a weak Soveraign, that has weak subjects; and a weak People, whose Soveraign wanteth Power to rule them at his will. Unnecessary Lawes are not good Lawes; but trapps for Mony; which where the right of Soveraign Power is acknowledged, are superfluous; and where it is not acknowledged, unsufficient to defend the People." It is easy to see how Hobbes has clearly stated his case for central government and strong laws to serve as a bulwark against behavior that could lead to more societal upheaval (among others). As other reviewers have stated this is somewhat difficult reading as it was composed and remains in Old English. The syntax and organization may be different than what the reader may be used to. In the final analysis Leviathan supports the view that a person's moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live. Five stars.

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Kindle Customer

The Natural State of Man is Not What You Might First Think

July 25, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Hobbes' thesis that the natural state of man is chaos and war is the primary justification he provides for an all encompassing authority to be placed unalterably in the hands of the Sovereign, or Leviathan. What he neglects to address is the absolutely corrupting influence such power has on the all too human Kings, Queens, and legislative bodies which hold such power over their fellow creatures.

There is a saying that if men were were angels we would not need government, or if that angels administered man's government then we would not need to worry as to constraining them. But neither of these delusions can be ever be achieved by fallible man, no matter how much certain individuals may otherwise hope. You cannot legislate morality and you cannot make men charitable by forcing them to give. And much to the annoyance of Plato, no amount of education or cultural refinement can immunize man to the ever present threats of avarice, arrogance, and blind ambition. There must be checks on this power if men are to retain their hard-fought liberty and if the ultimate power of the government is to maintain its rightful abode with the People.

As we in America have learned, there is a concept of government much more attuned to the particulars of human nature than the false bravado of Leviathan. It is limited government, where every individual choose for himself what he thinks is best, to the degree that he does not infringe on the natural rights of his fellows. Freedom of oppression from the government is our nation's calling card, and it has empowered and enriched man to a degree never before imagined. It seems that man's natural state, when guaranteed certain inalienable rights, was far flung indeed from an interminable warfare on his neighbors.

So, Hobbes had a lot to learn but perhaps not the opportunity to do so. However, I did enjoy and learn much from him in his thorough and unbiased defense of his monarchical position using the Scriptures. He has an immense mastery of them, and cuts through some of the more confusing points of contention between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. He even goes so far as to address the varying degrees of heaven, the existence (or not) of an everlasting Hell, and Baptism for the Dead. It provided me with an excellent base from which to further understand the faith of the early American colonists and the churches they established in the lead-up to the American Revolution.

Still, this is one of the more difficult books on this subject I've yet to slog through and so be warned that you may want to start with some lighter tomes on this subject.

16 people found this helpful

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May 21, 2014

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Understandably this book was written to the prince or king at the time of how to centralize power from monarchies to statehood. It is an insight to how the power structure operates and its intended goals. Follow this up with James Balko's, "Rise of the Warrior Cop: the militarization of police power" to catch a glimpse of where this philosophy has taken those who find themselves being ruled under these systems of thought carried into action. Law enforcement being an extension of state power, its is imperative to understand its basic construct!

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Richie

Leviathan - hardly light reading

June 12, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Find yourself eating up philosophies of political economy? Edify yourself by delving into a few sections of this book. I'd suggest finding a companion book or FAQ to help explain it even though it is straightforward. The intricacies of Hobbes abound under the right scrutiny. Those who have libertarian leanings might find this especially enjoyable.

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September 1, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

As government becomes for e and more smothering, it is important to read writers like Hobbes who saw this coming. America is in trouble in part because people don't really read important books with important ideas anymore. Yes, it's easier to watch an insipid reality show, but this book will get you thinking about the kind of world in which you want to live. Feed your brain!

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John164

Five Stars

Great book

Published 1 month ago

Norm

Five Stars

Good reading.

Published 2 months ago

Robert W

Leviathan Saved By The Social Contract

Hobbes' take on human nature is detailed in Leviathan, making it a staple of philosophical literature and one that I found to be particularly interesting.Read more

Published 4 months ago

skb

Five Stars

Greatest political book of all time

Published 6 months ago

purchaser

noit as easy to read as a modern translation but certainly the ...

Authentic copy, noit as easy to read as a modern translation but certainly the words of the author!

Published 7 months ago

James E. Toth

Five Stars

A timeless classic

Published 8 months ago

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Everyone should read this.

Published 8 months ago

Amazon Customer

Came in good condition and very fast

Came in good condition and very fast. The only problem is that it isn’t the full text as I expected it to be, it’s only volume one.

Published 8 months ago

Aran Joseph CanesTop Contributor: Philosophy

Important Only for the History of Ideas

Hobbes's Leviathan was written to provide a theory of government, drawn from first principles, which would prevent the catastrophic civil wars which devastated England in Hobbes's...Read more

Published 8 months ago

Kina Song

One Star

This is the wrong one.

Published 8 months ago

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