The mystery of leviathan     

I. Leviathan in Ancient Texts and Mythologies

 

A. Leviathan in the Hebrew Bible

   

Book of Job (Job 41):    

Psalms (Psalm 74:14; Psalm 104:26):    

Isaiah (Isaiah 27:1):  

B. Connections to Ancient Near Eastern Mythology

 

Ugaritic Mythology:    

Mesopotamian Influence: The Babylonian creation epic, Enuma Elish, describes the god Marduk defeating the sea dragon Tiamat, further reflecting the theme of divine victory over chaos.

II. Leviathan in Thomas Hobbes's Political Philosophy

The term "Leviathan" underwent a significant transformation in the 17th century through the work of English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. In his seminal work, Leviathan (1651), Hobbes employs the metaphor to articulate his vision of the state and social contract.

A. The State of Nature and Social Contract

Hobbes begins by describing the "state of nature," a hypothetical condition where individuals exist without a common authority. In this state:

Life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short": Without a central authority, humans are in constant conflict, driven by competition, distrust, and the pursuit of glory.

Social Contract: To escape this anarchic state, individuals collectively agree to surrender certain freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and order. This mutual agreement forms the basis of Hobbes's social contract theory.

B. The Leviathan as Sovereign Authority

In Hobbes's framework:

Leviathan Represents the State: The Leviathan symbolizes an all-powerful sovereign created through the social contract. This sovereign possesses absolute authority to ensure peace and prevent a return to the state of nature.

Indivisibility of Power: Hobbes argues that to maintain order, the sovereign's power must be undivided and absolute, encompassing legislative, executive, and judicial functions.

C. Implications and Criticisms

 

Advocacy for Absolute Monarchy:  

Foundation for Modern Political Thought:  

III. The Enduring Legacy of Leviathan

 

Symbol of Chaos and Order:  

Influence on Political Theory: