Question
Here is the question : WHAT MYTHICAL SEA SERPENT DID THOMAS HOBBES NAME HIS CLASSIC TEXT AFTER?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Leviathan
- Loch Ness
- Cetus
- Sirens
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The biblical sea monster mentioned in the Book of Job is referenced by the term “leviathan.” In his book Leviathan, Hobbes makes the case for creating a social compact based on the social cohesion and civil harmony of a democratic commonwealth. No other type of government can compare to the leviathan in this form since it represents a group of people and their leader who carries out their will, according to Hobbes.
Thomas Hobbes, one of the most influential political philosophers of the 17th century, named his classic text after a mythical sea serpent: Leviathan. Published in 1651, “Leviathan” presents Hobbes’s profound philosophical ideas on the nature of society, governance, and human nature. By drawing upon the allegorical image of the Leviathan, Hobbes weaves a compelling narrative that explores the origins of political authority, the social contract, and the role of the sovereign in maintaining order and stability.
The choice of the name Leviathan as the title of Hobbes’s magnum opus holds deep symbolic significance. In biblical mythology, the Leviathan is a monstrous sea creature mentioned in the Book of Job and later referenced in various religious texts. Described as a fearsome and untamable beast, the Leviathan represents chaos, power, and the uncontrollable forces of nature. By invoking this mythical creature, Hobbes seeks to illustrate the precarious state of human existence and the necessity of political organization to tame the inherent chaos and ensure societal harmony.
In “Leviathan,” Hobbes presents a comprehensive theory of social contract and political authority. He argues that in the state of nature, human life is solitary, brutish, and short, as individuals compete for limited resources and struggle to survive. To escape this state of constant conflict, humans voluntarily enter into a social contract, surrendering their individual freedoms to a sovereign authority. The Leviathan, in Hobbes’s view, represents this sovereign power—a central governing entity that possesses absolute authority and is responsible for maintaining order, protecting its citizens, and preventing societal collapse.
According to Hobbes, the Leviathan’s authority is derived from the consent of the governed. The sovereign’s power is absolute, as it is necessary to enforce laws, settle disputes, and ensure the well-being of the commonwealth. In return for surrendering their individual rights, citizens receive protection and stability, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the ruler and the ruled. Hobbes’s concept of the Leviathan thus reflects his belief in the necessity of strong central authority to prevent the disintegration of society into chaos and anarchy.
“Leviathan” is not merely a work of political theory. It also delves into philosophical inquiries about human nature, morality, and the nature of knowledge. Hobbes explores the psychological and self-interested motivations that drive human behavior, arguing that humans are primarily driven by their desires for power, self-preservation, and personal gain. This view of human nature as inherently self-serving and competitive shapes Hobbes’s understanding of political organization and the need for a strong sovereign to control and regulate society.
Hobbes’s “Leviathan” sparked significant intellectual discourse and debate during its time and continues to be influential in pol