LEVIATHAN: THE MYTH, and THE BOOK
The Myth
Leviathan is a mythical sea serpent that appears in the Bible and other Hebrew writing. Writers use it to describe something large or monstrous.
Mythology
- The Leviathan is a sea serpent demon that we often associate with chaos.
- The Book of Psalms, the Book of Job, and the Book of Isaiah mention Leviathan.
- The Leviathan is thought to have originated from a pre-biblical Middle Eastern myth about a multiheaded sea monster killed by the god Baal.
- Christian theologians associated the Leviathan with the demon of envy.
Meaning
- The word Leviathan comes from the Hebrew word Livyatan, which means “coiled” or “twisted”.
- Leviathan refers to a large sea animal, like the blue whale.
- Leviathan can also describe a political state, especially a totalitarian state.
The Book
Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes: A Foundation of Social Contract Theory
Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, published in 1651 (revised in Latin in 1668), explores the structure of society and the legitimacy of government. Named after the biblical Leviathan, the book is a cornerstone of social contract theory and remains one of its most influential works.
Written during the English Civil War (1642–1651), Hobbes advocates for a social contract. Above all, he mentions rule by an absolute sovereign to prevent civil war and escape the chaos of the state of nature, described as the “war of all against all.” Hobbes argues that only a strong, unified government can ensure peace and stability.
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Related Information
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Contemporary Approaches to the Social Contract