Leviathan

Definition

Leviathan is a metaphor for a powerful, authoritarian state or government that has absolute sovereignty and wields absolute power over its subjects. It is a concept developed by the 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes to describe his vision of an ideal political community and the social contract that binds it together.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hobbes believed that without a powerful, centralized authority, human life would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short' due to the constant state of conflict and insecurity in the state of nature.
2. The Leviathan, as the all-powerful sovereign, is responsible for establishing and maintaining the social contract, providing security, and ensuring the peaceful coexistence of its subjects.
3. Hobbes argued that individuals must surrender their natural rights and freedoms to the Leviathan in order to escape the state of nature and enjoy the benefits of a stable, orderly society.
4. The Leviathan is an artificial, mortal god created by the people to ensure their survival and well-being, and it derives its power from the consent of the governed.
5. Hobbes believed that the Leviathan's absolute sovereignty was necessary to prevent the chaos and violence inherent in the state of nature, even if it meant sacrificing individual liberties.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of the Leviathan is connected to Hobbes' idea of the social contract.
  • According to Hobbes, the Leviathan is the powerful, centralized authority that emerges from the social contract. Individuals in the state of nature, fearing the constant conflict and insecurity, agree to surrender their natural rights and freedoms to the Leviathan in exchange for the protection and order it provides. The Leviathan, with its absolute sovereignty, then becomes responsible for enforcing the social contract and ensuring the peaceful coexistence of its subjects.
• Analyze how Hobbes' concept of the Leviathan reflects his view of human nature and the necessity of a strong, authoritarian government.
  • Hobbes believed that in the absence of a powerful, centralized authority, human beings would be trapped in a perpetual 'war of all against all' due to their inherently selfish and competitive nature. He saw the Leviathan as a necessary evil, an artificial god created by the people to protect them from the chaos and violence of the state of nature. Hobbes argued that the Leviathan's absolute sovereignty, even if it meant sacrificing individual liberties, was the only way to ensure the security and stability of society.
• Evaluate the implications of Hobbes' concept of the Leviathan for individual rights and the role of the state in modern political thought.
  • Hobbes' concept of the Leviathan has had a significant impact on political theory and the ongoing debate over the balance between individual rights and the power of the state. While Hobbes' vision of an all-powerful, authoritarian government has been criticized for its potential to infringe on individual freedoms, it has also been influential in justifying the need for a strong, centralized state to maintain order and security. The Leviathan concept has been both praised for its ability to prevent chaos and violence, and condemned for its potential to lead to tyranny and oppression. Ultimately, Hobbes' ideas continue to shape discussions about the appropriate role and limits of government power in modern political thought.

Related terms

Social Contract: The idea that individuals surrender some of their freedoms to a central authority, such as a government, in exchange for the protection and order provided by that authority.

State of Nature: Hobbes' hypothetical condition of human existence prior to the establishment of a social contract and civil society, characterized by a 'war of all against all' and the absence of security or stability.

Absolute Sovereignty: The absolute and unlimited power of the state or government to rule over its subjects, with no external or internal constraints on its authority.