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He that is to govern a whole nation, must read in himself, not this, or that particular man; but mankind. 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. Hobbes argues that human beings are first and foremost concerned with their own individual desires and fears. He shows that a conflict of each against every man can only be avoided by the adoption of a compact to enforce peace. The compact involves giving up some of our natural freedom to a sovereign power which will enforce the laws of peace on all citizens. Hobbes also analyses the subversive forces - religion, ambition, private conscience - that threaten to destroy the body politic, Leviathan itself, and return us to the state of war. 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 widest range 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, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
How can a society avoid the destructive state of nature and maintain a stable, peaceful political order? Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century English philosopher, posits that human beings are driven primarily by individual desires and fears, leading to a perpetual state of conflict. To mitigate this, he argues for the necessity of a social contract where individuals surrender certain natural freedoms to a sovereign power, the Leviathan, which enforces laws and prevents the collapse of the body politic into chaos.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and scholars regard this work as a foundational text in political philosophy that remains central to academic discourse on state sovereignty. Readers frequently note the density of the prose, which requires careful study to navigate the complex logical arguments presented by Hobbes.
Page Count:
577
Publication Date:
1998-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191605581
ISBN-13:
9780191605581
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