Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
"Leviathan" is a seminal work of political philosophy that presents an argument for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. The author argues that civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contract. He suggests that without a strong, central authority to impose law and order, society would descend into a state of nature, characterized by perpetual war and chaos. The book is divided into four parts: Of Man, Of Commonwealth, Of a Christian Commonwealth, and Of the Kingdom of Darkness.
The 380th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1651
- Nationality
- British
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Pages
- 300-500
- Words
- 150,000
- Original Language
- English
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This book is on the following lists:
- 110 Best Books: The Perfect Library (The Telegraph)
- The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written (Martin Seymour-Smith)
- Great Books of the Western World (Great Books Foundation)
- The New Lifetime Reading Plan (The New Lifetime Reading Plan)
- Masterpieces of World Literature (Frank N. Magill)
- Best Books Ever (bookdepository.com)
- The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time (The Guardian)
- Six Professors from "Esteemed" Universities Favorite Books (Democrat and Chronicle (Newspaper))
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- The Guardian's Essential Library (The Guardian)
- The Twenty Greatest Philosophy Books (Book from 2006) (James Garvey)