Leviathan

Author: None
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1985-09-01
Features: Leviathan is divided into four parts. The first part explicitly declares the author's natural philosophy and general philosophical views, claiming that the universe is composed of material particles, objects are independent objective entities, matter is eternal and neither created nor destroyed by humans, and all matter is in a state of motion. The second part is the main of the book, primarily describing the unfortunate lives of people in the state of nature who enjoy the natural right of "born equal" and have a common desire for peace and stable lives. Driven by human reason, they mutually agree to enter into a covenant, renouncing their natural rights and entrusting them to a single person or a collective of multiple people. This person or collective can transform the collective will into a single will and unify the collective personality into one. The people, in turn, obey his will and his judgment. The third part, On Christian Commonwealth, aims to deny the self-governing church and criticize the Pope's claim to hold supreme authority over secular governments. The fourth part, On the Dark Kingdom, primarily targets the Roman Catholic Church, exposing in large quantities the corruption, darkness, and avaricious and exploitative practices of the Roman Church. As a result, the sanctity and reverence of God, as well as the solemnity and mystery of the Church, have faded in Hobbes' portrayal.