Religion, Politics and Thomas Hobbes

The essaysthat comprise thisvolume were written over the period of some ten years, for different purposes and on different occasions, but they are unitedby a number of features, which this preface may serve to indicate. While the collection begins with a translation drawn from the fourth p- sentation of Hobbes s political thought, namely, the Latin Leviathan of 1668, after The Elements of Law (1640), De Cive (1642 and 1647) and the English Leviathan of 1651, the focus of the essays is largely on theEnglish version of his masterpiece of political philosophy. It isthe center of gravityinthe twenty eight years spanninghis departure from England for exile in France in 1640 till the publication in 1668 of the Latin Leviathan,withits lengthy and c- plex Appendix. The translation andintroduction of theAppendix, previously published,appears here with several revisions and additions, as does the essay Thomas Hobbes and the EconomicTrinity. A second feature common to these essays isthe deliberate attempttomake sense of thereligious elements inHobbes s thought, bothintheir own rightand inrelation to his politics and natural science. These themes are woven together in complex ways. For instance, objecting to the use of Greek philosophic language and concepts to interpret the doctrines of the Christian religion, he propounds what he takes to be a more thoroughly scriptural interpretation, in pursuit of the goal of demolishing the basis for anypower inthe state independent of thecivil sovereign.

Takes up the thorny question of Hobbes' theology and its impact on his theory of government Essays focus on Hobbes' distinction between natural and revealed religion to explain interpretive difficulties that have thus far resisted solution Presents new insights into Hobbes' thinking on such topics as superstition, the role of the king as priest, "true religion" and the death of the soul Includes the author's translation of the 1668 Appendix to the Latin Leviathan, newly revised and hitherto difficult to obtain Seeks to advance our thinking about religion and politics in Hobbes beyond current impasses

Auteur
George Wright is a psychologist with an interest in the role and validity of judgment in decision making and forecasting. He is especially interested in the use of management science- and behaviorally-based methods to improve decision-making. He has published in key journals, and is the Editor of the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making. He has consulted with firms such as IBM, ICL, NEC, Petronas, Jordan Ministry of Planning, and the Scottish Football Association.

Texte du rabat

This collection develops insight into the relation which Hobbes describes between his theory of government and the three-part division he draws with respect to religion. Pursuing the chain of causes that proves God's existence as first cause, Hobbes identifies and defines both "true religion" and such superstition as he found in the theology and practices of the Roman Catholic Church of his era. He then emphasizes the difference between natural religion and revealed religion in order to extinguish the claim of contemporary theologians to an authority in the state greater than that of the political sovereign. Although, according to the author, Hobbes falters in carrying out his politico/theological project, his careful, radical and innovative attempt to describe the relationship of religion and politics, church and state, has special relevance for us today, as forms of religious fundamentalism in many countries are increasingly claiming and, in some cases, winning control of political institutions. TOC:From the contents Preface. Acknowledgements.- Introduction to the 1668 Appendix.- Hobbes and the Economic Trinity.- The Haunting of Thomas Hobbes.- Hobbes in Exile.- Afterword.- Bibliography. Index of Subjects. Index of Names.

Résumé
Aims to develop insight into the relation, which Hobbes describes between his theory of government and the three-part division he draws with respect to religion. According to the author, Hobbes falters in carrying out his politico/theological project, and his attempt to describe the relationship of religion and politics, church and state.

Contenu
From the contents

Preface. Acknowledgements.- Introduction to the 1668 Appendix.- Hobbes and the Economic Trinity.- The Haunting of Thomas Hobbes.- Hobbes in Exile.- Afterword.- Bibliography. Index of Subjects. Index of Names.