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Liked It “Some parts were amazing, but others seemed to drone onward. Either way, this is a classic, and should be read by anyone thinking about Catholicism, Politics, or Government.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Some parts were amazing, but others seemed to drone onward. Either way, this is a classic, and should be read by anyone thinking about Catholicism, Politics, or Government.”
Robert V wrote this review Friday, January 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Early Modern English 1470 to 1700 is the language I learned as a child. My literature outside school consisted of the 1611 King James Bible and a book on fishing. Chaucer was probably taught to dispel the “Authorized Version” of anything. Five hundred years was a long run to base ideas on the King James Bible and English empire. No one born past 1950 would recognise thee and thou. It is over. I have a hard time moving on. I have one foot in watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and the other stuck in the mud of 1969 Woodstock. I still “don't trust anybody over 30” (Weinberg March 23, 1970).
Chenoweths wrote this review Sunday, January 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It is first argued that human nature is commonly concerned with self-preservation” (Gaskin Introduction). Darwin must have read this. Hobbes words “That the condition of mere nature” for the individual is absolute liberty and thus anarchy for the collection of individuals (Hobbes 1651 Part 2 Chapter 31 1). In a state of nature they have a “right to all things” and thus fight to control everything including those things held by others. We obtain these things by force. Only someone seen as “omnipotent” with more force than anyone else can keep us under control for the sake of the “safety of everyone.” Those individuals that see themselves in need of protection will join with others by “common consent” as a collection of individuals to concede their individual predatory powers. A fight breaks out for who can control as the wolves take whatever pleases them at the moment. What is in it for me (Hobbes 1651 Part 2 Chapter 31 5).”
“This book is a must for all who are concerned with the governed and governance. The basic theory of social contract. All law students must buy it and read it time and again.”
Divyang K. Chhaya wrote this review Sunday, September 25, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A precursor to the important ideas of Locke and "Modern" government.”
FJ Ness wrote this review Monday, August 8, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Social Contract justifies a strong ruler...brutish chaos will envelope you unless you have a dictator to bring order. ”
Christy Willis wrote this review Sunday, June 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“So brutal and so aggressive. You need to understand how some people believe the world should be run.”
Edge Z wrote this review Wednesday, October 20, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Ferocious and cruel but a wonderfully eye-opening, extremely gratifying read.”
Clementine B wrote this review Thursday, October 14, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“Thomas Hobbes apparently wrote "Leviathan," at the end of the 100 years war in England, between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. Hobbes says that life is short, brutal, and ugly. He is clearly a pessimist. He also totally ignores that Natural Law tradition that each person has Natural Rights which precede the formation of the Nation State. Hobbes argues that a person would be willing to give up his or her own Liberty in exchange for the safety of a competent dictator. Hobbes is dead wrong. Locke and Grotius and the American Declaration of Independence tell us that we have Natural Rights prior to the formation of the Nation State which cannot be taken away by the State, or even by God.”
Anthony F wrote this review Thursday, August 19, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The author Thomas Hobbes was Thesis in College and My Favorite Philosopher in college and his book was my thesis in college.”
Donneth Jay C wrote this review Monday, July 12, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
