Of A Christian Common Wealth Summary

Leviathan is divided into four specific books “Of Man”, “Of Common-Wealth”, “Of A Christian Common-Wealth”, and “Of the Kingdome of Darknesse”. Book I focuses on the philosophical framework for the entire text, while the following and remaining books elaborate the arguments presented in the prior chapters. Book I, begins by Hobbes beginning his text by considering the motions of matter, and arguing that every aspect of human nature can be deduced from materialist principles. Hobbes then goes on to depict the natural condition of mankind surrounding us, known as the state of nature. The state of nature mentioned in the first book is what Hobbes states as the “war of every man against every man” where people in the world constantly seek to destroy …show more content…
Hobbes strongly argues that our knowledge as people of the world originates from what he calls “external bodies” pressuring our sensory apparatus. Hobbes also depicts objects continually bumping against each other and describes the passage of motion. This motion of the universe eventually transfers to the surface of the human body, where nerves and membranes of the eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin are moved. Resulting in motions onto the brain providing “Sense” with the given description as the action of external bodies colliding with sensitive organs. Hobbes philosophical method proceeds from one conclusion to the next logical succession. Leviathan consists of interconnected stages of propositions and logical ideas. The remaining of Hobbes’s argument depended on the conclusions established. The propositions about human thought is the first principles for the geometrical proof that Hobbes’s is trying to achieve and construct. Hobbes then develops his arguments in a series of stages; the validity of the claim of each step is based upon the claim made in the previous step. Although never articulated in the text, Hobbes bases his claims regarding the nature of thinking. Hobbes claims that philosophical truth must be deduced, and acts as his own judge of the very first principles he …show more content…
Hobbes in his writing dismisses natural philosophy, suggesting that nature does not provide any secure principles, and therefore science is more adequate for making incontrovertible claims. Hobbes philosophy claims that truth is a social construction and that its conclusions are precise, because they are too socially constructed. I believe that when everyone agrees upon the foundation of knowledge, there is no room for dispute. Where Hobbes explains that there can be no truth based on an objective nature. Ultimately for Hobbes, eliminating the form of disagreement is the essential access to ending forms of civil war. Hobbes believed peace was the ultimate purpose. At the same time, Hobbes notion on reality as a social construct contains an element of fascism. Which advocates reality completely accepting the powerlessness of the individual who changes the constructed