Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Leviathan

Leviathan

Written by Thomas Hobbes

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
Political scienceState, The

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Leviathan" by Thomas Hobbes is a philosophical treatise written in the mid-17th century. The book explores the structure of society and legitimate government and creates an objective science of morality. Hobbes argues for a strong central authority to avoid chaos and civil war, emphasizing the social contract and the necessity of a sovereign power to maintain order and protect citizens. The opening of "Leviathan" sets the stage for Hobbes' exploration of human nature and the foundations of society. He begins by discussing the concept of an artificial man, the Common-wealth, likening it to a great Leviathan created through social contracts among individuals. Hobbes emphasizes the importance of understanding human desires, fears, and the underlying motivations that drive individuals to form societies, laying the foundation for his arguments about governance, civil order, and the relationship between individuals and authority. Through a direct and analytical style, Hobbes invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human motivations and their impact on societal structures.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Leviathan, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 40 hours
  • advanced
  • philosophical
  • analytical
  • authoritative

Thomas Hobbes's 'Leviathan' is a foundational work of political philosophy arguing for the necessity of a strong, absolute sovereign power to prevent the chaos of the 'state of nature' and ensure civil peace. Written during the English Civil War, it posits that human life in a natural state, without government, would be a 'war of every man against every man,' characterized by fear and violence. To escape this, individuals enter a 'social contract,' surrendering some of their natural rights to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order. Hobbes meticulously constructs an argument for the legitimacy and indivisibility of this sovereign power, whether a monarch or an assembly, as the ultimate guarantor of societal stability.

“During the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called War; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man.”

Key themes

The State of Nature
This is a hypothetical condition of humanity without any governing authority or social order. Hobbes famously describes it as a 'war of every man against every man,' where life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' It is a state of perpetual fear, violence, and insecurity, where there is no justice, property, or industry, as individuals are driven by self-preservation and a constant desire for power. This concept serves as the fundamental justification for the necessity of government.
The Social Contract
The social contract is the agreement by which individuals collectively surrender some of their natural rights and powers to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and civil order. It is a rational act motivated by the desire to escape the horrors of the state of nature. For Hobbes, this contract is irrevocable, and the power transferred to the sovereign is absolute, creating the 'Leviathan' or Commonwealth.
Absolute Sovereignty
Hobbes argues that the sovereign power, once established through the social contract, must be absolute, indivisible, and unquestionable. Any division of power, or any challenge to the sovereign's authority, he contends, will inevitably lead to civil war and a return to the state of nature. The sovereign's role is to enforce laws, judge disputes, and protect citizens, and its power must be supreme to effectively fulfill these duties.

Worth discussing

Is Hobbes's depiction of the 'state of nature' accurate? What are its implications for human morality and society?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!