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Leviathan - Oxford World's Classics (Paperback)
Thomas Hobbes (author), J. C. A. Gaskin (editor)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.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199537280
Weight: 393 g
Dimensions: 196 x 129 x 25 mm
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“Part review”
I didn't read the whole book - I intended to, but when Hobbes starting getting into the Holy side of things I was lost. Religion confuses me, and I'm not ready to learn. But what I was really interested in... More
“Complicated but good!”
Try to pick out particular quotes to use rather than read the whole thing, as it is difficult to read.
“A must read book for politics”
Hobbes has a unique argument style that should be practised more by us. His argument style is almost as close to scientific philosophy as I think we can get. He starts by making definitions and using those definitions... More
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