The Political Philosophy of Hobbes

A cornerstone study on the impact of Thomas Hobbes, one of the founders of modern political philosophy and the author of The Leviathan.

In this classic analysis, Leo Strauss pinpoints what is original and innovative in the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. He argues that Hobbes's ideas arose not from tradition or science but from his own deep knowledge and experience of human nature. Tracing the development of Hobbes's moral doctrine from his early writings to his major work The Leviathan, Strauss explains contradictions in the body of Hobbes's work and discovers startling connections between Hobbes and the thought of Plato, Thucydides, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and Hegel.

“Strauss has approached Hobbes’ doctrines from a new angle, and thus opened the way to a new appreciation of the significance of his political philosophy.” —Douglas Nobbs, English Historical Review

“Excellently done . . . A valuable contribution . . . It will repay the student of theory who reads it,and its author is to be congratulated.” —Hymen Ezra Cohen, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

“A detailed analysis which all students of Hobbes will have to read.” —Robert E. Chaddock, Political Science Quarterly