Reading Questions
W 08 Dec
Hobbes, Leviathan, bks. 17-21, 26, 29-31, 46-End (pp. 111–48,
175–92, 212–45, 441–75)
Are Hobbes's "Laws of Nature" in any way connected to Aquinas's
"Natural
Law"? What is the function of civil law (c. 26)? Is this a new idea?
What would Hobbes have made of Plato's educational theories? What would
Plato have made of Hobbes' sovereign?
What is sovereignty? What are the essential powers of the sovereign?
Are these powers divisible among several branches of government? What
are
the powers/rights of the individual in the Hobbesian
state?
What is the nature of political obligation for Hobbes (why do we obey
the
ruler)? Is Hobbes a proto-liberal, or a prophet of tyrrany?
Is Hobbes an atheist? A civil atheist? A Christian atheist? What is the
role of religion in Hobbes' commonwealth.