Leviathan: Or, the Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
Written by Thomas Hobbes
Narrated by Peter Wickham
4/5
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About this audiobook
Born out of the political turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan stands out as one of the most in influential political and philosophical texts of the seventeenth century. It argues for the restoration of the monarchy, in light of the Republic, and calls for a commonwealth ruled by an authoritative, autocratic figure with absolute sovereignty. This would put an end to all controversy, war and fear, and establish peace via social contract.
Over the course of the book Hobbes targets Christianity and contemporary philosophic methods, rejecting the idea of spirits and souls, and arguing for a philosophy to end divisiveness and provide indisputable conclusions. These highly controversial theses led to book burnings in 1666 and Hobbes being dubbed the ‘Monster of Malmsbury’.
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was one of the founding fathers of modern philosophy. An Englishman, Hobbes was heavily influenced by his country's civil war and wrote his preeminent work, Leviathan, about the relationship between the individual and the government during that period. Hobbes was a scholar, phauthoilosopher, and the author of several works on political and religious philosophy.
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Reviews for Leviathan
18 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This audiobooks is helpful to get one through a difficult read, though I believe the audiobooks is a better as an accompaniment to the text. The books give great insight into the American Founding Fathers insight in the development of the Constitution.
Commonwealth is born out of man's desire for peace. One the commonweath is broken, the result is war, and power reverts to the strongest. This insight gives a great understanding the the right to bear arms is the second amendment. Interesting the First and Second Books take a somewhat secular view of Commonwealth, while the Third and Fourth Books are very theological in nature.
In short this book is definitely worth the read, and rightly stands a great classical work.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Why do you have to be so caught up with the Bible man...
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Above my pay grade. Greater respect for the USA's founding fathers for having understood Hobbes, and for implementing much of his philosophy in the building of our great nation. Great book, but I'll have to read it again.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great reading of a brilliant book, a book everyone should read