Leviathan - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Leviathan evokes images of a biblical sea monster, a symbol of chaos subdued by divine power. However, within the realm of Early Modern Philosophy, it refers most prominently to Thomas Hobbes’ groundbreaking 1651 treatise, Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil. Often misunderstood as a justification for tyranny, Hobbes' Leviathan actually explores the social contract, arguing that individuals, driven by self-preservation, must cede some freedoms to a sovereign power to escape the brutal "state of nature," a war of all against all. But is this sovereign necessarily a monarch? And what limits, if any, constrain its power?
References to leviathan predate Hobbes, appearing throughout the Old Testament as a fearsome creature representing the untamed forces of nature. Psalm 74:14 speaks of God crushing "the heads of Leviathan," a vivid image of divine authority over chaos. The early modern period, riddled with religious conflict, political upheaval, and nascent scientific inquiry, provided fertile ground for reinterpreting this ancient symbol. The English Civil War, a tumultuous period of regicide and societal collapse, deeply influenced Hobbes, leading him to conceptualize Leviathan not as a monster to be feared, but as a necessary, albeit powerful, artificial construct to maintain order.
Hobbes' Leviathan sparked immediate controversy. Royalists saw it as tacit support for Cromwell's Protectorate, while republicans viewed its emphasis on absolute sovereignty with suspicion. Despite the initial disputes, later interpretations acknowledged Hobbes’ profound impact on political thought, particularly his emphasis on rationalism and the social contract. Was Hobbes truly advocating for absolute power, or was he presenting a pragmatic solution to avoid anarchy, a question that continues to fuel scholarly debate?
Today, the term "Leviathan" remains a potent metaphor for the state, often carrying connotations of unchecked power and bureaucratic complexity. Its symbolic weight resonates in discussions about government surveillance, individual liberties, and the limits of state authority. The enduring mystique of Leviathan lies in its capacity to simultaneously represent the promise of security and the peril of absolute control, prompting us to continually question the balance between freedom and order in society. Are we truly free when we are governed by a Leviathan of our own making?