Leviathan (Oxford World's Classics): Hobbes, Thomas, Gaskin, J. C. A.: 8601404364020: Amazon.com: Books

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Leviathan (Oxford World's Classics) Reissue Edition

by Thomas Hobbes (Author), J. C. A. Gaskin (Editor)

4.4 1,198 ratings

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Leviathan is both a magnificent literary achievement and the greatest work of political philosophy in the English language. Permanently challenging, it has found new applications and new refutations in every generation. This new edition reproduces the first printed text, retaining the original punctuation but modernizing the spelling. It offers exceptionally thorough and useful annotation, an introduction that guides the reader through the complexities of Hobbes's arguments, and a substantial index.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Book Description

Both a magnificent literary achievement and the greatest work of political philosophy in the English language.

About the Author

John Gaskin is Professor, Chair, and Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. He is the editor of Hobbes and Hume in World's Classics.

ISBN-10

0199537283
ISBN-13

978-0199537280
Edition

Reissue
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

February 15, 2009
Language

English
Dimensions

7.6 x 1 x 5.1 inches
Print length

576 pages
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Reissue edition (February 15, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199537283
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199537280
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1470L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.6 x 1 x 5.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #92,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #29 in Philosophy (Books)
- #170 in Political Philosophy (Books)
- #180 in Deals in Books

Customer Reviews:
4.4 1,198 ratings

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4.4 out of 5

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Robert A Lersch

Seminal book of its type

Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2023

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I read in college and again as a 60 year old. Better second time around when I understood life better. a bit repetitive for modern taste but imagine trying to stay alive during the English civil war. Then the text makes more sense even if wrong headed for a modern audience. Essential reading if you want to understand how democracies evolved.

J. Hauck (Guerrilla Reader)

The First Modern Support and Defense of Social Contract Theory

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2013

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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.

25 people found this helpful

An explanation of the interplay of secular governance and religious belief systems.

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2019

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My take-away from the first half of the book was that in order to maintain civil society, all citizens must adhere without objection to all laws and regulations of the whatever type of government be in power. This would be true for Monarchies, Aristocracies or Democracies. Since the individual is beholden to the sovereign government for their survival and not falling into chaos, they have no recourse but to obey absolutely, regardless of their religious beliefs.
The second half focuses on chapter/verses of the Old and New Testaments that support Hobbes' contention that the Church/clergy has no real governing power but what is granted by the country's sovereign government. His other tangents describe the Catholic church's retention of gentile/Hellenistic rituals and idols, thereby diluting a reasoned/natural approach to the Church's teaching. His derision of Aristotle seems mainly based on a superficial analysis of the metaphysical word games played by philosophical persons living idle lifestyles.

20 people found this helpful

Hobbes is a lot smarter than I am

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2004

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I finished reading Leviathan a couple months ago, but cringed every time I thought about writing a review. The book is large at over 700 pages and covers so much ground, a review would have to be a book in itself to do it justice. Due to Leviathan's philosophical content and somewhat antiquated language, it's very slow going. Each page needs time to digest.
So I'm not going to bother writing a real review. I will just say that Leviathan is a 5-star classic and worth your time, if you can deal with reading political philosophy. Hobbes divides the work into four major sections:
Of Man, in which he discusses human nature and why civilized people prefer peace to war. Here Hobbes establishes the primary reason that people form a government to rule over them: to safeguard them from enemies, both external and internal.
Of Common-wealth, in which Hobbes first talks about the several forms of government and the pros and cons of each. He then explains the rights that a government has over its people; according to Hobbes, the government can do pretty much anything it wants to. Finally he goes into the things that tend to weaken or dissolve a government.
Of a Christian Common-wealth, the longest section, in which Hobbes accepts the Bible as the word of God and quotes from it numerous time to bolster his position in support of a powerful government.
Of the Kingdome of Darknesse, the shortest and strangest section, in which Hobbes veers away from the topic of government and instead focuses on religious practices and beliefs of the day that he deems improper and inconsistent with the Bible.
It took me months to read this, but I came away with great respect for Hobbes and a better understanding of politics. I can't say that I agree with everything I read, but I think the majority of his arguments are sound and convincing.
Five stars, no doubt in my mind. But it's a dive into the deep end, so you'll probably only finish it if you really appreciate and enjoy philosophical discussion!

158 people found this helpful

Where it started.

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022

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As someone who is interested in how we got to where we are today in Government, I'm interested in where we started and the thoughts and ideas that were both accepted and rejected to put us here today. So yes this was very interesting.

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Robert Widdowson

Excellent Copy of Thomas Hobbes' Masterpiece

Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2023

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This is an excellent copy of Thomas Hobbes' masterpiece
The critical apparatus is very, very good
Hobbes is challenging to read, digest, and comprehend. The introductory essay and the explanatory notes are top notch

César

Defeito no livro

Reviewed in Brazil on June 7, 2021

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O livro veio com defeitos graves. Páginas dobradas e coladas umas às outras.

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2 people found this helpful

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ShoppingDeern

Gut und heil angekommen

Reviewed in Germany on November 28, 2023

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Hat alles gut geklappt. Artikel erfüllt sein Zweck.

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yoimaren

Go for it

Reviewed in India on October 10, 2019

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It is a clasic

One person found this helpful

G. Crackers

Beau travail d'édition

Reviewed in France on May 21, 2018

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L'édition Gaskin est exemplaire : une introduction concise mais éclairante, une bonne présentation du texte (pour faciliter la lecture, certains paragraphes sont "titrés" dans les marges). On regrette parfois plus de détails ou d'informations dans les notes, mais il semble que l'éditeur a plutît fait le choix d'être sélectif et d'aller droit à l'essentiel. Le format est maniable, ce qui rend la lecture agréable.

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