Hobbes’ Ideas on Leviathan
Critically analyze Hobbes’ writing. Articulate influences and the impact of his work. Discuss his ideas about Leviathan and social contract.
Hobbes’s writings revolve around politics, human nature, and human psychology. His writings present the image of a man and try to show how things about humanity can be experienced materialistically. According to his writings, most of the things about man do not have recourse and are immaterial. He asserts that men live without a common power, and all human interactions lead to chaos, where people become exposed to the risk of violence that may result in death (Hobbes, 2002). In Hobbes’ writings, the aspects of morality and ideas of right do not have a place; rather, force and fraud have become major virtues.
In his discussion about the Leviathan, Hobbes clearly states that the sovereign has power and authority on issues that relate to faith and doctrine (Hobbes, 2002). He presents his ideas on religion and says that he will not align himself to the will of the sovereign. Hobbes has materialistic presuppositions that make him develop a controversial view on Leviathan. However, he says that without the Leviathan, the world would be filled with menace.
Hobbes Leviathan on social issues focuses on not only anarchy but also commonwealth. The Leviathan speaks on the issues of the commonwealth and a manifestation of the civil society, where the principles of anarchy do not exist (Hobbes, 2002). Hobbes proceeds and speaks on neoliberalism, law, rights, morality, and religion. Nevertheless, Hobbes was more concerned with the foundations of civil society. His ideas change the perceptions that people have about life. Some defect from the main course, and others remain in the right course pursuing morality and right of life. It is indeed clear that Hobbes has demonstrated rationality and created possibilities for synthesizing the paradigms of anarchy and power.
References
Hobbes, T. (2002). Extracts from Leviathan. Conflict after the Cold War, ed. RK Betts. New York: Longman.