Leviathan (Books III and IV) FULL AUDIOBOOK

 Thomas HOBBES (1588 - 1679)

In Books 3 and 4 of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes elaborates on the political philosophy set forth in the first two books, by considering the nature of a Christian commonwealth. Book 3 begins with a wealth of biblical scholarship, directed at establishing the authority of Scripture while at the same time undermining modern claims to supernatural revelation that would subvert civil law. Hobbes concludes that we cannot be sure of anyone else's divine revelation, and that religious authority is therefore subordinate to civil power. Book 4, titled “Of the Kingdom of Darkness,” sets forth the various ways in which Scripture has been misinterpreted by the church, according to Hobbes, in mixing pagan elements with Christianity.
(Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Leon Mire)
Chapter XXXII – Of the Principles of Christian Politics
Chapter XXXIII – Of the Number, Antiquity, Scope, Authority, and Interpreters of the Books of Holy Scripture
Chapter XXXIV – Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration in the Books of Holy Scripture
Chapter XXXV – Of the Signification in Scripture of Kingdom of God, of Holy, Sacred, and Sacrament
Chapter XXXVI – Of the Word of God, and of Prophets
Chapter XXXVII – Of Miracles and Their Use
Chapter XXXVIII – Of the Signification in Scripture of Eternal Life, Hell, Salvation, the World to Come, and Redemption
Chapter XXXIX – Of the Signification in Scripture of the Word Church
Chapter XL – Of the Rights of the Kingdom of God, in Abraham, Moses, the High Priests, and the Kings of Judah
Chapter XLI – Of the Office of Our Blessed Saviour
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 1
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 2
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 3
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 4
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 5
Chapter XLII – Of Power Ecclesiastical, Part 6
Chapter XLIII – Of What is Necessary for a Man's Redemption into the Kingdom of Heaven
Chapter XLIV – Of Spiritual Darkness from Misinterpretation of Scripture, Part 1
Chapter XLIV – Of Spiritual Darkness from Misinterpretation of Scripture, Part 2
Chapter XLV – Of Demonology and Other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles, Part 1
Chapter XLV – Of Demonology and Other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles, Part 2
Chapter XLVI – Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy and Fabulous Traditions
Chapter XLVII – Of the Benefit that Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom it Accrueth
Chapter XLVIII – A Review and Conclusion

Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, in some older texts Thomas Hobbs of Malmsbury, was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy. His 1651 book Leviathan established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory. Hobbes was a champion of absolutism for the sovereign, but he also developed some of the fundamentals of European liberal thought: the right of the individual; the natural equality of all men; the artificial character of the political order (which led to the later distinction between civil society and the state); the view that all legitimate political power must be "representative" and based on the consent of the people; and a liberal interpretation of law which leaves people free to do whatever the law does not explicitly forbid. He was one of the founders of modern political philosophy. In addition, Hobbes also contributed to a diverse array of other fields, including history, geometry, the physics of gases, theology, ethics, and general philosophy.

Genre(s): Political Science, Early Modern, Christianity - Other
Language: English
Group: Leviathan
Books in the public domain

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