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is_book_loring's review against another edition
3.0
A scientific, clear-cut, systematic philosophy of power. It's not very often one can find a philosophy book, especially a classic, that is very accessible with half of the work to comprehend the proposed theory done by the author.
Thomas Hobbes laid down the foundation of his theory, plain and direct, and built up from there layer by layer methodically; unlike many other philosophers, didn't cited any authorized scholars or ancient wisdom, never letting his central theory getting warped and entangled in any abstract concept or matters that might contradicted it or which he couldn't explain with his systematic reasoning.
His concern is narrow and specific, which is how to create a Leviathan- an absolute, secure, organized common-wealth under an omnipotent Sovereign, basically a conceptual, artificial Mortal God, the end of which is an efficient system that can copy the motion of the Universe, will run by itself when perfected, following precepts of Laws.
Questions of moral value and ethic are not his concern, Right and Wrong, Good and Evil have no inherent values in his eyes; the Laws of Nature that he put forth such as Justice, Equity, Mercy, Liberty are drawn from his reason, not based on any authority, limited only to the purpose of his Leviathan. Many of his thoughts and arguments are very refreshing, original, distinct from what ordinarily or emotionally, morally accepted, especially on Civil Laws, and Religion. At times he is inconsistent, but never contradictory; very rational, though not quite reasonable. When one consider the period he was living in which presumably affected him, his coldly rational theory makes easy sense. Thus, psychologically perhaps his ultimate aim and need is peace and stability, an order, to him any order even tyranny is better and more preferable than chaos and division.
Thomas Hobbes laid down the foundation of his theory, plain and direct, and built up from there layer by layer methodically; unlike many other philosophers, didn't cited any authorized scholars or ancient wisdom, never letting his central theory getting warped and entangled in any abstract concept or matters that might contradicted it or which he couldn't explain with his systematic reasoning.
His concern is narrow and specific, which is how to create a Leviathan- an absolute, secure, organized common-wealth under an omnipotent Sovereign, basically a conceptual, artificial Mortal God, the end of which is an efficient system that can copy the motion of the Universe, will run by itself when perfected, following precepts of Laws.
Questions of moral value and ethic are not his concern, Right and Wrong, Good and Evil have no inherent values in his eyes; the Laws of Nature that he put forth such as Justice, Equity, Mercy, Liberty are drawn from his reason, not based on any authority, limited only to the purpose of his Leviathan. Many of his thoughts and arguments are very refreshing, original, distinct from what ordinarily or emotionally, morally accepted, especially on Civil Laws, and Religion. At times he is inconsistent, but never contradictory; very rational, though not quite reasonable. When one consider the period he was living in which presumably affected him, his coldly rational theory makes easy sense. Thus, psychologically perhaps his ultimate aim and need is peace and stability, an order, to him any order even tyranny is better and more preferable than chaos and division.
fpxi's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
5.0
Few books will make you smarter about power and the state.
ralowe's review against another edition
1.0
i started panicking trying not to think about what i was going to say about this book around the middle because it seemed not unpleasurable. like the first chapter of *120 days of sodom*. so reasonable. and then how did we wind up wading in genocide? if this book doesn't give you nightmares. this is bad news. this is bat shit crazy. fuck the total war of man against man. fuck the bureaucratic body of the absolute ruler who will keep us from our natural bloodthirsty passions. this is a bad idea.
stevyy19's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.0