Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes (1651), (Book II, Chapter XXI)

Résumé du document

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is one of the founding fathers of the modern political philosophy even though his writings have created controversy. He has been accused of legitimizing totalitarianism ; especially in his two main works Leviathan (1651) and De Cive (1642). However, his work cannot be apprehended without referring to its writing context. Indeed, at the time Thomas Hobbes compiled Leviathan, he had taken refuge in France fleeing the English Civil War (1642-1651) and the religious disturbances which were tearing England apart. This writing context is salient in the understanding and interpretation of Leviathan. While writing, Thomas Hobbes thoroughly focused on the historical context of England and envisioned a way to ensure the safety of the people as well as civil peace.

Extraits

[...] More than a theoretician of totalitarianism, Thomas Hobbes is one of the founding fathers of the theory of the modern liberal state insofar as the only goal of the State is to ensure the citizen's safety. It is not meant to play any role in such matters as economy which is not part of its sovereignty. Moreover, this text introduces the idea of rule of law as well as the idea of submission to the form of government (or laws) that the citizens have chosen for themselves. Although, Leviathan somehow justifies absolutism, Hobbes's reflection is precursory and opens up the way to centuries of modern political philosophy. [...]

[...] While writing, Thomas Hobbes thoroughly focused on the historical context of England and envisioned a way to ensure the safety of the people as well as civil peace. In the abstract understudy the author expounds his idea of the liberty of the subjects in his main theory of the social contract and his definition of sovereignty: an absolute and perpetual power Thus, trough this analysis, it will be shown to what extent this idea contributes to Thomas Hobbe's main thesis and whether or not he can be qualified as a founding father of the modern political philosophy. [...]

[...] Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes (1651), (Book II, Chapter XXI) Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is one of the founding fathers of the modern political philosophy even though his writings have created controversy. He has been accused of legitimizing totalitarianism; especially in his two main works Leviathan (1651) and De Cive (1642). However, his work cannot be apprehended without referring to its writing context. Indeed, at the time Thomas Hobbes compiled Leviathan, he had taken refuge in France fleeing the English Civil War (1642-1651) and the religious disturbances which were tearing England apart. [...]

[...] As a conclusion, it seems to be worth questioning the present by the light of Thomas Hobbes' thoughts on liberty. Up to what point shall we give up our liberty in order to reach/maintain peace and safety in the society? Indeed, over the last ten years and especially since the terrorist attacks have occured in New York on 09/11 in 2001; people have agreed to submit themselves to laws that seriously harm their freedom: the Patriot Act has been adopted in the U.S. [...]

[...] Freely and voluntarily, men swap their natural liberty with peace and safety. Thus, the liberty of the subjects is limited to the scope of the rules of the society. Only the Sovereign determines the boundaries of this liberty which can vary according to the type of government men have subordinated themselves to. The Sovereign may decide to give to his subjects more or less room to move, he is in fact the only one who still lives in the state of nature and benefits from the natural liberty. [...]