Leviathan

Leviathan

Philosophical Insights on Government, Society, and the Social ContractBy Thomas Hobbes
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length22h 1m

About this audiobook

Thomas Hobbes's seminal work, *Leviathan*, published in 1651, is a cornerstone of political philosophy that explores the foundations of civilization and the structure of society. Written during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, Hobbes employs a distinctively clear and methodical literary style, combining rigorous logical argumentation with vivid metaphor. The titular Leviathan emerges as a powerful symbol of the state, representing the necessity of a strong, centralized authority to prevent the chaos of humanity's natural state, characterized by 'war of all against all.' This text offers profound insights into human nature, governance, and social contracts, setting the stage for modern political thought. Thomas Hobbes, a philosopher, and mathematician, was deeply influenced by his experiences in a politically unstable England. His prior studies of science, particularly geometry and optics, inform his analytical approach to human behavior and political structures. These influences culminated in his desire to find a stable framework for societal order, prompting the creation of *Leviathan*, which challenges readers to grapple with the implications of political authority and individual freedom. *Leviathan* is essential reading for anyone interested in the origins of political theory, ethics, or modern governance. Hobbes's arguments are not only historically significant but also resonate with contemporary debates on authority and individual rights. This thought-provoking work invites readers to reflect on the delicate balance between security and freedom, urging them to consider the implications of political power in their own lives.

Audiobook details

GenrePolitics and Government
Length22 hrs 1 min
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 27, 2023
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
26Chapter XXV: Of Counsel
2Chapter I: Of Sense
27Chapter XXVI: Of Civil Laws
3Chapter II: Of Imagination
28Chapter XXVII: Of Crimes, Excuses, and Extenuations
4Chapter III: Of the Consequence or Train of Imaginations
29Chapter XXVIII: Of Punishments and Rewards
5Chapter IV: Of Speech
30Chapter XXIX: Of Those Things that Weaken or Tend to the Dissolution of a Commonwealth
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6Chapter V: Of Reason and Science
31Chapter XXX: Of the Office of the Sovereign Representative
7Chapter VI: Of the Interior Beginnings of Voluntary Motions, Commonly Called the Passions; and the Speeches by which They are Expressed
32Chapter XXXI: Of the Kingdom of God by Nature
8Chapter VII: Of the Ends or Resolutions of Discourse
33Chapter XXXII: Of the Principles of Christian Politics
9Chapter VIII: Of the Virtues Commonly Called Intellectual; and Their Contrary Defects
34Chapter XXXIII: Of the Number, Antiquity, Scope, Authority, and Interpreters of The Books of Holy Scripture
10Chapter IX: Of the Several Subject of Knowledge
35Chapter XXXIV: Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration in the Books of Holy Scripture
11Chapter X: Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour and Worthiness
36Chapter XXXV: Of the Signification in Scripture of Kingdom of God, of Holy, Sacred, and Sacrament
12Chapter XI: Of the Difference of Manners
37Chapter XXXVI: Of the Word of God, and of Prophets
13Chapter XII: Of Religion
38Chapter XXXVII: Of Miracles and Their Use
14Chapter XIII: Of the Natural Condition of Mankind as Concerning Their Felicity and Misery
39Chapter XXXVIII: Of the Signification in Scripture of Eternal Life, Hell, Salvation, the World to Come, and Redemption
15Chapter XIV: Of the First and Second Natural Laws, and of Contracts
40Chapter XXXIX: Of the Signification in Scripture of the Word Church
16Chapter XV: Of Other Laws of Nature
41Chapter XL: Of the Rights of the Kingdom of God, in Abraham, Moses, the High Priests, and the Kings of Judah
17Chapter XVI: Of Persons, Authors, and Things Personated
42Chapter XLI: Of the Office of Our Blessed Saviour
18Chapter XVII: Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a Commonwealth
43Chapter XLII: Of Power Ecclesiastical (pt. 1)
19Chapter XVIII: Of the Rights of Sovereigns by Institution
44Chapter XLII: Of Power Ecclesiastical (pt. 2)
20Chapter XIX: Of the Several Kinds of Commonwealth by Institution, and of Succession to the Sovereign Power
45Chapter XLIII: Of what is Necessary for a Man's Reception into the Kingdom of Heaven
21Chapter XX: Of Dominion Paternal and Despotical
46Chapter XLIV: Of Spiritual Darkness from Misinterpretation of Scripture
22Chapter XXI: Of the Liberty of Subjects
47Chapter XLV: Of Demonology and Other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles
23Chapter XXII: Of Systems Subject Political and Private
48Chapter XLVI: Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy and Fabulous Traditions
24Chapter XXIII: Of the Public Ministers of Sovereign Power
49Chapter XLVII: Of the Benefit that Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom It Accrueth
25Chapter XXIV: Of the Nutrition and Procreation of a Commonwealth
50A Review and Conclusion

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