first class

advance reading

course
outline

requirements

grading

topics
&
readings

further reference

 

 

Political Science 404/513

"Hobbes' Leviathan and Modern Individualism"

Don Carmichael                                                                                                  Tues evenings,  6-9 pm

Phone: 492‑5390                                                                                                      Fall Term, 2001-02

e-mail: Don.Carmichael@ualberta.ca

 


 

                                                                                

NB:  First Class (Tues, Sept. 11)

 

The first class will be a full session (about 2 hrs), with a brief introductory lecture and the choice of essay topics and other assignments.  Students who are unable for any reason to attend this session should contact me before the class to discuss possible assignments.

 

 

If The Course is Full:

 

The enrolment of this course will be limited to ensure that it can function as a seminar.  If you want to take the seminar but it is full, just leave your name and telephone number (or email address) for me with someone in the general office (10-16) and I=ll put you on a waiting list.

 

 

Suggestions for Advance Reading

 

The text of Leviathan is best read in the seminar (bits at a time, and with discussion).  If you want to get a head start on the readings, I recommend that you do readings other than this.  I suggest:

 

(1)   an overview of Hobbes' life and works.  The best, in my view, is R. Tuck, Hobbes (OUP, 1989).  Among others, Peters (Hobbes) is probably the most readable, Robertson (Hobbes) is a classic, and other good "overview" accounts are by Goldsmith (Hobbes' Science of Politics), Laird (Hobbes) and Stephen (Hobbes).

 

(2)   an account of Hobbes' "times".  I recommend Maurice Ashley,  England in the Seventeenth Century, pp. 9‑120 (several copies are available in the library (DA 375 A82).  Hobbes' own account is Behemoth.  The first dialogue (pp. 1‑59) is especially interesting, but it presupposes some knowledge of the period.  Good accounts of Hobbes' "place" in his times are the books by Bowle (Hobbes and His Critics), Mintz (The Hunting of Leviathan), Robertson (Hobbes) and Ross (Hobbes in his Times), and the articles by Quentin Skinner.

 

All students will be asked to read Tuck and Ashley (pp 9-120) early in the seminar; they can easily be done in advance.  For anyone who wants to do more:

 

(3)   Students will also be asked to read Part 3 of Leviathan early in the seminar.  This can be read in advance if you already have a good sense of what Hobbes is up to.

 

(4)   Several superb commentaries are available, written from remarkably different perspectives: 

 

Two of these are modern classics, worth reading on their own account as much for their interpretations of Hobbes: C.B. Macpherson (intro to the Penguin edition; The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism); and Leo Strauss (Natural Right and History, pp 166‑202). 

 

Several recent works have explored the place of religion and rhetoric in Leviathan:  David Johnston (The Rhetoric of Leviathan) is an especially engaging example. 

 

Other works have addressed Leviathan from a more analytical perspective, drawing on game theory: David P. Gauthier (The Logic of Leviathan),  G. Kavka (Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory) and Jean Hampton (Hobbes and The Social Contract Tradition).  The most recent is by Gabriella Slomp (Thomas Hobbes and the Political Philosophy of Glory: 2000). 

 

Many recent works have explored Apolitical@ issues from Part 2 of Leviathan: Deborah Baumgold (Hobbes's Political Theory), Mary Dietz ed (Thomas Hobbes and Political Theory),  Rogers & Ryan, eds, (Perspectives on Thomas Hobbes) Walton & Johnson, eds, (Hobbes's Science of Natural Justice) , and Bertman & Malherbe, eds, (Thomas Hobbes de la metaphysique a la politique).

 

Several of these will be considered in the seminar, with attention to how they invite us to approach the text

 

 



Course  Outline

 

This course will be a seminar on Hobbes and contemporary individualism, using each to explore the other.  The seminar will proceed by a close reading of Leviathan (especially Parts 1 & II), focussing on the account of human nature, right and obligation, and then examining their implications for authority, law and statesmanship.

 

The course will be conducted as a seminar.  Students will be expected to contribute actively in discussions, and the seminar will be organized around the presentation and discussion of student papers.  After the first few weeks the required readings will not be extensive, but students will be expected to read them carefully and to supplement them with selections from recommended commentaries.

 

The seminar will be taught as a combined undergraduate (404) and graduate (513) course.  Requirements and expectations for the two groups will be different.  Graduate students will be expected to cover a wider range of Hobbes' works, and more of the recent secondary literature.

 

Requirements.

Two short seminar papers (5‑7 pp) will be required, plus a somewhat longer paper at the end of the term.  All papers should be analytical and "positional".  Brief digests (1‑2 pp) of the assigned readings will be required each week as an aid to critical reading and mastery of the text.  Each participant will be asked to open the discussion of one of the seminar papers with a brief commentary.

 

Grading:        

Essays : (3 x 30%)     90%

 

Other seminar contribution 10%

 

*The reading digests ‑‑ which must be submitted each week before the seminar ‑‑ will be graded only as satisfactory/ unsatisfactory.  But they are a necessity and marks will be deducted from the final grade (up to two stanines) for missing digests.

 

 


 

Topics and Readings


Sept 11   Introduction

 

Recommended:  R. Tuck, Hobbes

M. Ashley, England in The Seventeenth Century, 9‑120.

See other suggestions under advance reading.

 

 

Sept 18   Philosophical foundations

 

Background:      Ashley, England in The Seventeenth Century, 9‑120.    

Tuck, Hobbes, pp 1-39

 

Required:           Tuck, Hobbes, pp 40-50 (read first: it will help with the Hobbes chapters)

Leviathan,  The Introduction , ch. 1‑5.

 

recommended:   Peters, chs 4-5 (in the coursepack.  It may help with chs 1-5)

 

 

Sept 25    Human nature

 

Background:      Leviathan, chs 32-43 (Pt 3)

 

Required:           Leviathan, ch. 6‑9.

 

 

Oct 2   The natural condition of mankind)

 

Background:      Tuck, Hobbes, pp 51-124

 

Required:           Leviathan, ch. 10‑13.

 

recommended:   Johnson, AHobbes and The Wolf-Man@

 

 

Oct 9    The argument reconsidered: some interpretations

 

Required:           Raphael, A Interpretations - II@

C.B. Macpherson, selections from "Introduction" (Penguin edition).

Hampton, AWhat is the Cause of Conflict in The State of Nature?@

 

 

Oct 16    Morality: the right and law of nature  

 

Required:           Leviathan, ch. 14‑16.

Carmichael,  AThe Right of Nature in Leviathan@

Kavka, AConflict in The State of Nature@

 

 

Oct 23    The covenant,  authority and liberty)                                                 

 

Required            Leviathan, ch. 17‑23.  (nb ch. 21)

 

Oct 30    Law, crime, and punishment 

Required:           Leviathan, ch. 24‑28.

May, "Hobbes on Equity and Justice"

 

 

Nov 6    Split session: statesmanship /  the state & salvation

 

Required (i):       Leviathan, ch. 29‑30                                                                                       

 

Required (ii):      Leviathan, ch. 12, 31,                                                                                      

P. Johnson, ALeviathan=s Audience@                                     

 

Review:              Leviathan, chs 32 and 43 from Part 3                                                              

 

 

First Term Break:  Nov 13

 

 

Nov 20   Religion, philosophy &  power  

 

Required:           Leviathan, ch. 44‑47.

 

 

Nov 27    The teaching of leviathan:   hobbesian individualism

 

Required:           Aristotle, Politics, Book 1, chs 1‑3.

The Bible, Genesis, chs 1‑4.

Strauss,   AOn The Spirit of Hobbes= Philosophy@

Taylor, AAtomism@                                

 

Review:              Macpherson, Hampton, Kavka

 

 

Dec 4:     Rhetoric &  the teaching of leviathan

 

Required:           Leviathan, "Review and Conclusion".

D. Johnston, "Plato, Hobbes, and The Science of Practical Reasoning

The Book of Job   (35)

 

 


 

                                 ADVANCED READING AND FURTHER REFERENCE

 

These supplementary readings are listed for those who might want to do further work on particular topics.  They are not required for the seminars or essays.

 

The following collections are referenced by their editors:

 

M. Bertman et Michel Malherbe (eds) Thomas Hobbes de la metaphysique a la politique

K. Brown (ed), Hobbes Studies

M. Dietz (ed), Thomas Hobbes and Political Theory

G.A.J. Rogers and A. Ryan (eds), Perpsectives on Thomas Hobbes

C. Walton and P. Johnson (eds), Hobbes's Science of Natural Justice

 

 

Sept 18   Philosophical foundations

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt.I, 1‑6  .

Hobbes, De Corpore.

Hobbes, Thomas White's "De Mundo" Examined.

 

T. Ball, "Hobbes' Linguistic Turn", Polity 17 (1985).

F. Brandt, Thomas Hobbes's Mechanical Conception of Nature.

C. Condren, Thomas Hobbes, ch 1-2.

M.M. Goldsmith,  Hobbes's Science of Politics, 1‑2.

G. Herbert, Thomas Hobbes, 1‑3.

J. Laird,  Hobbes.

F.S. McNeilly,  The Anatomy of Leviathan, I (esp. ch 3‑4).

R.S. Peters,  Hobbes, 1‑3 .

G.C. Robertson,  Hobbes.

Rogers and Ryan: papers by Malcolm, Tuck and Sorell  .

T. Sorell, Hobbes, 1‑7.

T. Spragens Jr.,  The Politics of Motion.

L. Stephen,  Hobbes.

L. Strauss,  Hobbes' Political Philosophy.

Walton and Johnson: papers by Bhattacharya and Rudolph .

J.W.N. Watkins,  Hobbes's System of Ideas, 2nd ed.

 

 

Sept 25 Human nature

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt.I, ch. 7‑13 .

 

D. Baumgold, "Hobbes's Political Sensibility" in Dietz .

C. Condren, Thomas Hobbes, ch 3.

D.P. Gauthier,  The Logic of Leviathan, 1 .

B. Gert, "Reason and The Passions" in Bertman & Malherbe .

M.M. Goldsmith,  Hobbes's Science of Politics, 3.

G. Herbert, Thomas Hobbes, 4‑5.

P. Johnson, "Hobbes and the Wolf‑man" in Walton and Johnson (highly recommended) .

R.S. Peters,  Hobbes, 2, 6 .

F.S. McNeilly,  The Anatomy of Leviathan, 5.

 

Oct 2     The natural condition of mankind

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt.I, ch. 14 .

 

P. Caws (ed) The Causes of  Quarrel.

J. Hampton,  Hobbes & The Social Contract Tradition, 2‑3 .

G.S. Kavka,  Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory, 3‑4 .

C.B. Macpherson,  The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism, ch. 1‑2.

S.A. Lloyd, Ideals as Interests in Hobbes=s Leviathan.

F.S. McNeilly,  The Anatomy of Leviathan, 6‑7.

F. Tricaud, "Hobbes's Conception of The State of Nature", in Rogers and Ryan .

 

 

Oct 9     The argument reconsidered: some interpretations

 

I. Berlin,  "Hobbes, Locke and Professor Macpherson", Political Quarterly, 1964.

N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes and The Natural Law Tradition.

D. Boonin-Vail, Thomas Hobbes and The Science of Moral Virtue.

D.J.C. Carmichael,  "C.B. Macpherson's `Hobbes': A Critique", CJPS  XVI:1 (March, 1983), 61‑80, with Macpherson‑Carmichael "Replies", in CJPS  XVI:4 (Dec 1983).

R.E. Ewin, Virtues and Rights.

F.C. Hood,  The Divine Politics of Thomas Hobbes.

G.S. Kavka,  Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory

C.B. Macpherson,  The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism, pp 1‑70, 87‑106.

F.S. McNeilly,  Anatomy of Leviathan

J. Plamenatz,  Man and Society vol. I

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association

Q. Skinner, "Hobbes's Leviathan", Historical Journal 7 (1964)

G. Slomp, Thomas Hobbes and The Political Philosophy of Glory.

L. Strauss, "On The Spirit of Hobbes' Political Philosophy", in Brown, Hobbes Studies , and Natural Right and History, pp. 166‑202.

L. Strauss,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

H. Warrender,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

 

Discussions of Recent Literature on Hobbes:

D.J.C. Carmichael, ATeaching Thomas Hobbes; A Review article,@ Canadian Journal of Political Science: 23:3 (1990), 545-555

M.M. Goldsmith, AThe Hobbes Industry@, Political Studies 39 (1991), 135-147.

D.D. Raphael,  Hobbes : Morals and Politics, 7-8.

 

Feminist Readings:

T. Brennan and C. Pateman, "Mere Auxiliaries to the Commonwealth: Women and The Origins of Liberalism", Political Studies 27:2 (1979).

R.A. Chapman, "Leviathan Writ Small: Thomas Hobbes on the Family", APSR 69:1 (1975).

R.W.K. Hinton, "Husbands, Fathers and Conquerors", Political Studies 16:1 (1968).

I. Makus, Women, Politics and Reproduction, chs 1,4,5.

S.M. Okin, Women in Western Political Thought, 197‑200.

G.J. Schochet, Patriarchalism in Political Thought.

C. di Stefano, Configurations of Masculinity, introduction.

J. Zvesper, "Hobbes' Individualistic Analysis of the Family", Politics 5:2 (1985).

 

 

Oct 16   Morality: the right and law of nature  

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. I, chs. 15‑19 .

Hobbes, De Cive, 2‑4 .

 

B. Barry, "Warrender and His Critics", in Cranston and Peters (eds)  Hobbes and Rousseau.

N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes and The Natural Law Tradition.

D. Boonin-Vail, Thomas Hobbes and The Science of Moral Virtue.

K. Brown: papers on "right" by Wernham and Pennock, and on "obligation" by Brown, Taylor, Plamenatz & Warrender .

D.J.C. Carmichael, "The Right of Nature in Leviathan", Canadian Journal of Philosophy 18:2 (June,1988), 257‑270.

C.A.J. Coady, "The Peculiarity of Hobbes's Concept of Natural Right", in Walton and Johnson .

R.E. Ewin, Virtues and Rights.

D.P. Gauthier,  The Logic of Leviathan

F.C. Hood,  The Divine Politics of Thomas Hobbes.

G.S. Kavka,  Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory, 7‑8 .

S.A. Lloyd, Ideals as Interests in Hobbes=s Leviathan.

F.S. McNeilly,  Anatomy of Leviathan, 7 (from p. 168), 8.

T. Nagel, "Hobbes's Concept of Obligation", Philosophical Review 68 (1959).

J. Plamenatz,  Man and Society vol. I, pp. 122‑148 .

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association (ch. 1‑2)  .

D.D. Raphael,  Hobbes : Morals and Politics, 4‑5 .

D.D. Raphael, "Hobbes on Justice" in Rogers and Ryan .

Q. Skinner, "Hobbes's Leviathan", Historical Journal 7 (1964)

G. Slomp, Thomas Hobbes and The Political Philosophy of Glory.

L. Strauss, "On The Spirit of Hobbes' Political Philosophy", in Brown, Hobbes Studies , and Natural Right and History, pp. 166‑202.

L. Strauss,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

H. Warrender,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

 

 

Oct 23   The covenant,  authority and liberty

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. I, ch 19; pt. II, 1‑5  .

Hobbes, De Cive, 5‑10 .

Hobbes, A Dialogue of The Common Laws of England, 53‑77.

 

I. Berlin,  "Two Concepts of Liberty".

C. Cantalupo, A Literary Leviathan.

D.P. Gauthier,  The Logic of Leviathan, ch. 4 .

D.P. Gauthier, "Hobbes's Social Contract", in Rogers & Ryan

M.M. Goldsmith,  Hobbes's Science of Politics, 5.

J. Hampton,  Hobbes & The Social Contract Tradition, 4‑8 .

G.S. Kavka,  Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory, 5‑6 .

F.S. McNeilly,  The Anatomy of Leviathan, 9.

J. Plamenatz,  Man and Society, vol I, pp. 148‑154 .

R.S. Peters,  Hobbes, 8 .

G. Schochet, "Intending (Political) Obligation", in Dietz

Q. Skinner, "The Ideological Context of Hobbes's Political Thought", Historical Journal 9 (1966).

Q. Skinner, "Conquest and Consent: Thomas Hobbes and The Engagement Controversy", in G.E. Aylmer, (ed), The Interregnum.

C.D. Tarlton, "The Creation and Maintenance of Government: A Neglected Dimension of Hobbes's Leviathan", Political Studies 26 (1978).

 

 

Oct 30   Law, crime, and punishment 

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. II, ch. 10  .

Hobbes, De Cive, 14 .

Hobbes, A Dialogue of The Common Laws of England.

 

S.I. Benn and R.S. Peters,  Social Principles and The Democratic State, ch. 3, 8 .

Bertman and Malherbe: papers by Bertman and Baumrin .

N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes and The Natural Law Tradition, chs 4-5.

D.J.C. Carmichael, "Hobbes on Natural Right in Society: The Leviathan Account", CJPS 13:1 (March 1990), 3‑22.

C. Condren, Thomas Hobbes, ch 5.

R. Dworkin,  Taking Rights Seriously, 2.

D.P. Gauthier,  The Logic of Leviathan, 4 .

M.M. Goldsmith,  Hobbes's Science of Politics, 6.

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association, 1‑2.

Walton and Johnson: paper by Mathie, and also Mathie's critique of the May paper (especially recommended)  .

 

 

Nov 6    Split session: statesmanship /  the state & salvation

 

  statesmanship

 

Hobbes, Behemoth (especially Dialogue 1).

Hobbes, Introduction to his translation of Thucydides.

 

D. Baumgold, Hobbes's Political Theory.

R. Flathman, Thomas Hobbes: Skepticism, Individuality and Chastened Politics.

D. Johnston, The Rhetoric of Leviathan.

H. Mansfield Jr.,  "Hobbes and The Science of Indirect Government",  APSR 65 (1971),  pp. 97‑110.

W. Mathie,  "Rhetoric and Rationality in Hobbes's Leviathan".

F.S. McNeilly,  The Anatomy of Leviathan, 9.

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association.

D.D. Raphael,  Hobbes : Morals and Politics, 7‑8 .

J. Steinberg, The Obesssion of Thomas Hobbes.

L. Strauss,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

 

  state & salvation:

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. II, ch. 6‑7 .

Hobbes, De Cive, 11, 15‑18 .

Hobbes, A Dialogue of The Common Laws of England: "Of Heresy"

C. Cantalupo, A Literary Leviathan.

P. Cooke, Hobbes and Christianity.

C. Condren, Thomas Hobbes, ch 4.

E.J. Eisenach, "Hobbes on Church, State, and Religion", History of Political Thought 3 (1982).

J. Farr, "Atomes of Scripture", in Dietz .

W.B. Glover, "God and Thomas Hobbes", in Brown .

R.J. Halliday et al, "Hobbes's Belief in God", Political Studies 31 (1983).

R.W. Hepburn,  "Hobbes and The Knowledge of God", in M. Cranston and R.S. Peters (eds),  Hobbes and Rousseau.

F.C. Hood,  The Divine Politics of Thomas Hobbes.

S.A. Lloyd, Ideals as Interests in Hobbes=s Leviathan.

A.P. Martinich, The Two Gods of Leviathan.

A. Pacchi, "Hobbes and The Problem of God", in Rogers and Ryan .

J.G.A. Pocock, "Time, History and Eschatology in The Thought of Thomas Hobbes", in Politics, Language and Time.

R. Rhodes, "The Test of Leviathan: Parts 3 and 4 and The New Interpretations", in Bertman and Malherbe .

A. Ryan, "A More Tolerant Hobbes?", in Susan Mendus (ed), Justifying Toleration.

L. Strauss,  "On The Spirit of Hobbes' Political Philosophy" in Natural Right and History, pp. 166‑202; also in K. Brown (ed),  Hobbes Studies.

H. Warrender,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

 

 

Nov 13 First Term Break

 

 

Nov 20 Religion, philosophy &  power  

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. II, ch. 6‑7

Hobbes, De Cive, 11, 15‑18

Hobbes, A Dialogue of The Common Laws of England: "Of Heresy"

 

C. Cantalupo, A Literary Leviathan, ch.6.

D. Johnston, The Rhetoric of Leviathan

M. Oakeshott, "The Moral Life in Thomas Hobbes", in Hobbes on Civil Association.

R. Rhodes, "The Test of Leviathan: Parts 3 and 4 and The New Interpretations", in Bertman and Malherbe (12).

A.A. Rogow, Thomas Hobbes, 7, 10.

 

also see references from above.

 

 

Nov 27  The teaching of leviathan:   hobbesian individualism

 

I. Berlin,  "Hobbes, Locke and Professor Macpherson", Political Quarterly, 1964.

N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes and The Natural Law Tradition.

 

D.J.C. Carmichael,  "C.B. Macpherson's `Hobbes': A Critique", CJPS  XVI:1 (March, 1983), 61‑80, with Macpherson‑Carmichael "Replies", in CJPS  XVI:4 (Dec 1983).

F.C. Hood,  The Divine Politics of Thomas Hobbes.

G.S. Kavka,  Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory

C.B. Macpherson,  The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism, pp 1‑70, 87‑106.

J. Plamenatz,  Man and Society vol. I

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association

G. Slomp, Thomas Hobbes and The Political Philosophy of Glory.

L. Strauss, "On The Spirit of Hobbes' Political Philosophy", in Brown, Hobbes Studies , and Natural Right and History, pp. 166‑202.

L. Strauss,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

J. Zvesper, "Hobbes' Individualistic Analysis of the Family", Politics 5:2 (1985).

 

 

Dec 4:   Rhetoric &  the teaching of leviathan

 

Hobbes, The Elements of Law, pt. II, chs 8‑9 .

Hobbes, De Cive, 12‑13 .

 

St. Augustine, Confessions X: 35‑43.

C. Cantalupo, A Literary Leviathan.

C. Condren, Thomas Hobbes, ch 6-8.

C. di Stefano, Configurations of Masculinity, introduction.

R.E. Ewin, Virtues and Rights: The Moral Philosophy f Thomas Hobbes.

M.M. Goldsmith, "The Hobbes Industry", Political Studies 39 1991) 135‑147.

P. Johnson, "Leviathan's Audience", in Bertman & Malherbe

D. Johnston, The Rhetoric of Leviathan.

S.A. Lloyd, Ideals as Interests in Hobbes=s Leviathan, ch 1.

H. Mansfield Jr.,  "Hobbes and The Science of Indirect Government",  APSR 65 (1971),  pp. 97‑110.

W. Mathie,  "Rhetoric and Rationality in Hobbes's Leviathan".

M. Oakeshott,  Hobbes on Civil Association .

D.D. Raphael,  Hobbes : Morals and Politics 7‑8 .

L. Strauss,  The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

B. Telford,  "Well‑Being and Civil Society" (unpublished).

 

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