Reviews

Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

maxgotthebooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

Revolutionary but not very fun to read!

alyngee's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Bleh and double bleh. Two stars only because of its political and social importance.

Problems:
1. Degree of moral relativism.
2. Representative of commonwealth > Individual
3. No ultimate purpose for life. (Bah humbug!)
4. Can be used to support absolute rule.

I hate Hobbes, but perhaps "hate" is the wrong word. To speak in Hobbes' manner, maybe I should use "contempt," as I am quite neutral toward his philosophy as a whole. Okay, then, I have contempt for Hobbes. Here's two instead of one stars for you, then, Mr. Hobbes. The best thing you did was turn into a big orange tiger.

plasticrocket's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative slow-paced

2.5

The content was enlightening, but dear God was this a slog to get through because of the vernacular.

charles_hotham's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

ariqstotle's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Fav part was when Hobbes said life is brutish and then proceeded to brute all over the place

colinlusk's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This is one of the founding documents of political philosophy, building a complete system of government according to principles drawn from his (very slightly unorthodox) interpretation of biblical teaching. As a work of pure intellectual endeavour, it's pretty impressive, although some of its conclusions (rulers are immune from prosecution, governments have a right and duty to censor published works so as not to let people get ideas in their heads) would not be esactly in line with modern thinking.
I found it surprisingly easy to follow but there are massive stretches of biblical exegesis that will be heavy going if you're not used to it!

andrew_hs's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Hobbes would make a great sci-fi writer

raifaisreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative slow-paced

2.5

just so much hypocrisy and the man was also a monarchist. like ok

baronessvonrex's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

One of those classic, everyone-must-read books that examines the nature of man in his society.

nataalia_sanchez's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative reflective slow-paced

4.5