Thomas Hobbes Leviathan Notes

Thomas Hobbes – Leviathan Notes and Summary: Paragraph 1) Naturally, people are equal. Paragraph 2) Even though they are equal, people find differences and arguments. This leads to fights. Paragraph 3) There are three basic reasons for people to fight.    Competition—both want the same thing; violence used Safety—defend themselves Glory, Reputation—don’t want to look weak Paragraph 4) Everyone will be at war with everyone else if they do not have a powerful leader. Either there is war or peace—no in between. Paragraph 5) No one in war can concentrate on comfort or daily life because they are fearful for their life. Paragraph 6) People will be peaceful to avoid death and to be comfortable and happy. Paragraph 7) Everything is up for grabs! If you can take it, it’s yours—that is the natural state of the world. Paragraph 8) The only way for people to be safe and happy is to give all the power and control to one leader (DIVINE RIGHT). Paragraph 9) No one can have their own relationship with God—they must go through the One Ruler who was chosen by God. No one can disagree with the One Ruler. Vocabulary: 1) Felicity: happiness 2) Faculties: mental or physical powers 3) Machination: act 4) Confederacy: alliance 5) Diffidence: shyness 6) Attaining: reach; achieve 7) Endeavor: effort to achieve something 8) Subdue: defeat 9) Quarrel: fight or argument 10) Kindred: family 11) Manifest: shown 12) Sufficiently: enough 13) Inclination: tendency 14) Disposition: arrangement 15) Assurance: certainty 16) Incommodities: inconveniences 17) Commodities: useful, valuable things 18) Commodious: convenient; comfortable 19) Brutish: savage; violent 20) Commonwealth: independent country or community 21) Plurality: number of votes 22) Appoint: assign 23) Concord: agreement 24) Covenant: agreement; contract 25) Leviathan: large creature 26) Mutual: both sides agree 27) Instituted: established 28) Reputed: known 29) Dissenting: disagreeing 30) Sovereign: supreme ruler 31) Pretense: false claim 32) Disposition: character