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A Critical Analysis Of Thomas Hobbes’ Concept Of The Leviathan
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1.3 THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This work aims at critically analyzing
the concept of the Leviathan. It also attempt to proffer solutions to
the problems identified in Hobbes theory.This work studies Hobbes notion
of the society and how human beings can live together peacefully in a
society. We may ask; how can humans evolve a peaceful system where law
and order are properly defined?
1.4 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This
study is significant in the sense that it emphasizes the wider breath
of Hobbes conception of the leviathan. His intention is to capture all
areas of life with an attempt of reconstructing the society into a
better one by proffering the Leviathan. Effort will be made to review
and apply his concept of the Leviathan in examining the view of human
nature as egoistic and individualistic and how we can evolve a stable
and viable society from such a human nature.
1.5THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This
project work examines critically the concept of the Leviathan in Hobbes
social and political philosophy. It looks into other concepts like the
state of nature which led to the postulation of Leviathan. It advances
theory and knowledge by expanding the view of other social
contractarians in order to give a balanced view of our topic of study.
1.6 METHODOLOGY
This
research work uses the method of critical analysis to examine the idea
of the Leviathan in Hobbes. The research tools to be used are archival
materials such as textbooks, encyclopedia and internet sources. By using
the critical method this study seeks to provide a systematic and
comprehensive understanding of the idea of the Leviathan and the extent
to which it can be a viable option for bringing about order, peace and
cooperation in the society.
1.7LITERATURE REVIEW
The first book
to be reviewed, is Thomas Hobbes Leviathan; by John plamenatz. He argued
that The Leviathan was “chosen or instituted when men do agree and
covenant every one that to whatsoever man or assembly of men shall be
given by the major part the right to present the person of them all,
that is to say to be their representativeâ€.2 The Leviathan ensures them
living in peace amongst themselves and be protected against other men.
The
second book to be reviewed, is Elements of Philosophy by Samuel Enoch
Stumpf and Donald C. Abel. Here,the argument is that the civil society
created by the social contract must have power to punish those who
transgress the agreement. Convinced that fear is the greatest motivator,
the state must have sufficient positive power to terrify its citizens
into obedience
The third book to be reviewed is History of Political
Thought by Anthony O. Okoh. Here there is an argument for the provision
of an absolute ruler The Leviathan.He believed that it was only an
absolute ruler that could tame the wicked tendencies which exhibited in
the state of nature4.
The fourth book to be reviewed, is Philosophy
Made Simple by Richard H.P.Here it was understood that since sovereignty
is created by a covenant or contract, the subject retains all those
natural rights that cannot be transferred by covenant5 To put it
differently, since the subject has entered into the contract to preserve
and protect his life, the subject cannot refuse to obey the sovereign.
The
fifth book to be reviewed ,is Ethics: A Systematic and Historical Study
by Joseph Omoregbe. Here Hobbes argues that men decided to come
together and form an organized society since life was so in secured in
the state of nature. They came together, made a social contract,
empowered the sovereign to decide what should be done and what should
not be done in the society.
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