Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan | Political Philosophy

Summary

This video explores Thomas Hobbes' political philosophy, focusing on his seminal work, *Leviathan*. It examines Hobbes' nuanced approach to religion, clarifying misconceptions about him as a 'closet atheist,' and highlights his effort to balance religion with a strong, secular political structure. The discussion delves into the symbolism of the *Leviathan*'s frontispiece, portraying the sovereign as the embodiment of the state, combining judicial and ecclesiastical power. Hobbes’ theory emphasizes obedience to the sovereign over divine authority, laying the groundwork for modern social contract theory and natural law. The video contextualizes his contributions to political philosophy and the evolution of state and church relations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hobbes' *Leviathan* marks a paradigm shift in political philosophy, applying methods from physical science to human behavior and state authority.
• 😀 Hobbes' materialist view of human beings sees them as bodies in motion, driven by desires and bodily appetites, aiming for self-preservation and power.
• 😀 Hobbes' psychology centers around the idea that human desires drive behavior, with self-preservation being the fundamental impulse behind human actions.
• 😀 Hobbes argues that without a common power to enforce laws, human beings in a state of nature would be in constant conflict, leading to a 'war of all against all.'
• 😀 In the state of nature, individuals are equal in their capacity to deliberate and pursue goals, but this creates competition and insecurity without a governing authority.
• 😀 Hobbes' concept of the social contract requires individuals to submit their will to a sovereign power in exchange for security and peace.
• 😀 Sovereign authority, according to Hobbes, is absolute and can even decide life or death, but individuals retain the right to self-preservation in certain situations.
• 😀 The frontispiece of *Leviathan* symbolizes Hobbes' political theory, with the sovereign depicted as a mortal god, signifying the supreme authority of the state.
• 😀 Hobbes' secular approach to politics downplays divine rights of kings and places the state's authority above religious authority, advocating for peace through sovereign power.
• 😀 Hobbes’ theory lays the foundation for modern natural law and social contract theory, influencing political philosophy and discussions on state authority and individual rights.

Q & A

What is the core idea behind Thomas Hobbes' 'Leviathan'?

Hobbes' 'Leviathan' represents a paradigm shift in political theory, where he uses methods from physical sciences to develop a materialist theory of human behavior and rational grounds for obedience to state authority. He argues that humans, driven by desires and fear, need a strong central authority to avoid the chaos of the 'state of nature'.

How does Hobbes view human behavior in his materialist philosophy?

Hobbes believes human behavior can be understood as mechanical processes. He sees humans as self-moving matter, where our actions and desires are driven by bodily motions, such as appetite (desire to move toward something) and aversion (desire to move away from something). There is no separation between thought and matter; everything exists on a single plane of motion.

What is Hobbes' view on the 'state of nature'?

Hobbes' 'state of nature' is a hypothetical condition where there is no common power or authority. In this state, life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short, as individuals would be in constant competition for resources and recognition. He argues that human beings would act out of fear and self-preservation, leading to a state of perpetual conflict.

What does Hobbes mean by the 'social contract'?

The social contract, for Hobbes, is an agreement in which individuals in the state of nature give up certain freedoms and create a common authority or sovereign to maintain peace and security. By doing so, they collectively authorize the sovereign to represent them and make decisions for the collective good.

What role does reason play in Hobbes' philosophy?

Hobbes sees reason as a tool for survival and self-preservation. He defines it as 'reckoning,' or the ability to understand cause and effect. Although humans are driven by passion, reason helps them calculate and plan how to achieve their goals and secure peace, especially within the structure of the social contract.

How does Hobbes' materialist psychology challenge traditional moral views?

Hobbes challenges traditional moral concepts by arguing that good and evil are subjective, based on individual desires and experiences. He denies any objective moral laws, asserting that what is good is simply what benefits an individual, and what is evil is what harms them.

Why does Hobbes believe humans need a sovereign authority?

Hobbes believes that in the absence of a sovereign authority, individuals would be constantly in conflict, driven by fear and competition. The sovereign is necessary to enforce peace and security, prevent civil war, and ensure that agreements and contracts are upheld. Without it, people cannot be certain of their safety.

What is the significance of the 'Leviathan' frontispiece in illustrating Hobbes' political theory?

The frontispiece of Hobbes' 'Leviathan' visually represents his political theory, showing the sovereign as a giant figure composed of individuals, symbolizing the body politic. The sovereign holds both a sword (representing political power) and a crosier (representing ecclesiastical power), indicating that religion is subordinate to the state in Hobbes' system.

How does Hobbes reconcile religion with his materialist philosophy?

Hobbes attempts to reconcile religion with his materialist philosophy by arguing that traditional Christian teachings can still align with the discoveries of modern science. However, he subordinates the power of the church to the state, seeing an independent church as a potential source of conflict. This led some readers to view Hobbes as an atheist, though he aimed for a system where religion played a role within the state's control.

What is Hobbes' position on the rights and duties of the sovereign and the subjects?

Hobbes argues that the sovereign should have near absolute power, including the right to decide on matters like war, peace, and the interpretation of laws. The subjects must obey the laws of the sovereign, but outside of these prohibitions, they can do as they please. However, subjects still retain the inalienable right to self-preservation and can resist the sovereign in extreme cases where their life is at risk.