Hobbes Revisited: An Analysis of the Compatibility of the Theories of Human Nature and of the State Found in the Leviathan

Hobbes' LEVIATHAN was selected as a starting point to examine (1) whether writers have attempted to build their pol'al theorizing on a plausible theory of human nature (HN); (2) whether the principles of HN led logically to the pol'al theories developed; (3) whether alternatives could not have been used. In the LEVIATHAN Hobbes both expresses his views upon HN (man seeks the satisfaction of his impulses, man exists among other men, etc) & constructs pol'al theories (men are lawless, man must be controlled, gov can control man...). Deeper scrutiny shows that the pol'al implications drawn by Hobbes from his own assumptions are not the only ones that could be drawn; in fact, the interrelations between the 2 systems rest on the necessities inherent in the pol'al ideas, as Hobbes' overriding concern was to develop a particular theory of gov. IPSA.