Leviathan (Books I and II)

By Hobbes, Thomas

Book Id: WPLBN0002950175
Format Type:
File Size: 332.91 MB
Reproduction Date: 2008

Title:	Leviathan (Books I and II)
Author:	Hobbes, Thomas
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non-fiction, Philosophy, Politics
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Leviathan (Books I and II)
Historic Publication Date:	1651
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago Hobbes, B. T. (1651). Leviathan (Books I and II). Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil, commonly called Leviathan, is a book written in 1651 by Thomas Hobbes. It is titled after the biblical Leviathan. The book concerns the structure of society (as represented figuratively by the frontispiece, showing the state giant made up of individuals), as is evidenced by the full title. In the book, Thomas Hobbes argues for a social contract and rule by a sovereign. Influenced by the English Civil War, Hobbes wrote that chaos or civil war - situations identified with a state of nature and the famous motto Bellum omnium contra omnes (the war of all against all) - could only be averted by strong central government. He thus denied any right of rebellion toward the social contract. However, Hobbes did discuss the possible dissolution of the State. Since the social contract was made to institute a state that would provide for the peace and defense of the people, the contract would become void as soon as the government no longer protected its citizens. By virtue of this fact, man would automatically return to the state of nature until a new contract is made. Summary from Wikipedia.

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
Philosophy, Politics