The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic
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Author Description
Thomas Hobbes' timeless account of the human condition, first developed in The Elements of Law (1640), which comprises Human Nature and De Corpore Politico, is a direct product of the intellectual and political strife of the seventeenth century. His analysis of the war between the individual and the group lays out the essential strands of his moral and political philosophy later made famous in Leviathan. This first ever complete paperback edition of Human Nature and De Corpore Politico is also supplemented by chapters from Hobbes' later work De Corpore and "The Three Lives," never before published together in English.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.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How does the fundamental nature of human psychology dictate the necessity and structure of political authority? Thomas Hobbes, a seminal figure in seventeenth-century political philosophy, utilizes this work to establish the psychological and mechanical foundations of his later, more famous theories. By examining the individual's sensory perceptions, passions, and social interactions, Hobbes constructs a rigorous argument for the necessity of a sovereign power to prevent the inherent chaos of human conflict.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of human sensory perception and cognitive faculties.
- Examination of the psychological drivers behind human behavior and social interaction.
- Theoretical framework for the transition from natural liberty to political obligation.
- Historical context regarding the political instability of seventeenth-century England.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of political theory recognize this text as a foundational precursor to Hobbes's more mature work, Leviathan. Readers frequently note the dense, analytical nature of the prose, which serves as a critical primary source for understanding the development of social contract theory.
Page Count:
284
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN-10:
0199549702
ISBN-13:
9780199549702
Philosophy
History
Non-Fiction
Natural law
Political Theory
