Description
Book SynopsisThomas Hobbes remains one of the most controversial of early modern philosophers, and debates persist about the interpretation of many of his ideas, particularly his views about natural law and natural right. This book argues that these two concepts are the twin foundations of the entire structure of Hobbes's moral and political thought.
Trade Review"Zagorin's study is erudite, insightful and especially commendable for analyzing both the philosophical import and historical context of the ideas discussed."--Robin Douglass, Political Studies Review "Zagorin's book is a helpful introduction into the basics of Hobbesian politics, the prominent secondary debates, and the broader historical context of natural law theory, which will inspire many of its readers with a positive awareness of the potentially moral dimensions in Hobbes' political writings."--Ester Bertrand, Political Science Journal "Zagorin's book ... serves as a good introduction to Hobbes and the history of Hobbes scholarship as well as to the history of political philosophy more generally. It would be a suitable text for an upper-level undergraduate course on Hobbes as well as a graduate course."--Michael P. Krom, Historian
Table of ContentsPreface ix Abbreviations xi Chapter 1: S ome Basic Hobbesian Concepts 1 The Law of Nature 5 Hobbes's Critique of the Natural Law Tradition 11 Natural Rights 20 Chapter 2: Enter the Law of Nature 30 Human Nature 32 The State of Nature or Man's Natural Condition 36 The Precepts of the Law of Nature 42 Natural Rights and the Creation of the Commonwealth 54 Consent, Fear, Obligation, and Populism 60 Chapter 3: The Sovereign and the Law of Nature 66 The Theory of Sovereignty 66 The Liberty of Subjects 75 Hobbes's Very Moral Sovereign 84 Chapter 4: Hobbes, the Moral Philosopher 99 Self and Others 99 Obligation 106 Is and Ought 112 Religion and Toleration 117 Conclusion 127 Notes 129 Index 171
