Hobbes: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Finn, Stephen J.

• ISBN13: 9780826488381
• ISBN10: 0826488382
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-03
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to fathom, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material. Thomas Hobbes is one of the foremost British philosophers; hisLeviathanstands as one of the most important single works in the history of political philosophy, and any student of philosophy will be required to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of Hobbes.Hobbes: A Guide for the Perplexed is the ideal resource for any student wishing to really engage with, and develop a sound understanding of, the work of this major philosopher. The text systematically covers all those areas of philosophy where Hobbes is a key player: metaphysics; epistemology; moral philosophy; political philosophy; the philosophy of religion. It explores Hobbes's philosophical method in depth and offers a valuable account of the historical background to Hobbes's thought. Most valuably for the student reader, this book actively promotes philosophical inquiry and interpretation. In setting out the different interpretations of Hobbes, the text requires the reader to evaluate their respective merits on the basis of the evidence provided.Hobbes: A Guide for the Perplexed, then, is both a philosophically rigorous introduction to Hobbes and an excellent primer in philosophical method, inquiry and debate.

Table of Contents

Preface : interpretation and enquiry
Introduction to Hobbes and the basics of interpretation and enquiry	p. 1
Section I summary : Hobbes's life and philosophy	p. 2
Section II interpretation : the basics of philosophical interpretation	p. 9
Section III enquiry : the basics of philosophical enquiry	p. 13
Hobbes's epistemology	p. 18
Section I summary : Hobbes's epistemology	p. 19
Section II interpretation : what is Hobbes's theory of truth?	p. 30
Section III : enquiry : what is the nature of truth?	p. 37
Hobbes's metaphysics	p. 43
Section I summary : Hobbes's metaphysics	p. 44
Section II interpretation : is Hobbes a psychological or tautological egoist?	p. 51
Section III enquiry : what is the nature of the mind?	p. 57
Hobbes's moral philosophy	p. 62
Section I summary : Hobbes's moral philosophy	p. 63
Section II interpretation : are Hobbes's laws of nature prudential precepts or moral obligations?	p. 74
Section III enquiry : do moral laws exist in the state of nature?	p. 80
Hobbes's political philosophy	p. 85
Section I summary : Hobbes's political philosophy	p. 86
Section II interpretation : does Hobbes implicitly accept a limited sovereign?	p. 98
Section III enquiry : which liberty-limiting principles are justified?	p. 102
Hobbes's philosophy of religion	p. 107
Section I summary : Hobbes's philosophy of religion	p. 108
Section II interpretation : does god play a central role in Hobbes's philosophy?	p. 117
Section III enquiry : why does God allow evil to exist?	p. 122
Conclusion	p. 125
Section I summary : connections among the interpretative questions	p. 126
Section II interpretation : do the various branches of Hobbes's philosophy constitute a unified system?	p. 128
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.