Behemoth Teaches Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes on Political Education

by Geoffrey M. Vaughan

Overview

Did Hobbes's political philosophy have practical intentions? There exists no "Hobbist" school of thought; no new political order was inspired by Hobbesian precepts. Yet in Behemoth Teaches Leviathan Geoffrey M. Vaughan revisits Behemoth to reveal hitherto unexplored pedagogic purpose to Hobbes's political philosophy. The work demonstrates Hobbes's firm commitment to government and his attempts to create a system of political education to underpin his commitment to sovereignty. Vaughan explore Hobbes's political education in detail and in an epilogue considers the resurgence of political education in contemporary liberal theory. He discovers that contemporary political education has far more in common with Hobbes's system than it does with early liberalism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739120934
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	03/06/2007
Series:	Applications of Political Theory
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.18(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

Geoffrey M. Vaughan is assistant professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Practical Problems , but no Solutions?
Chapter 2 Politics, Stability, and Education
Chapter 3 The Lessons of Political Education
Chapter 4 Learning through History and through Behemoth
Chapter 5 The Structure and Lessons of Behemoth
Chapter 6 Epilogue: The Return of Hobbesian Political Education

Editorial Reviews

This book resembles some piano performances, in which the pianist's left hand traces a conventional melody line while the right flies off in audacious arpeggios. .. . Vaughn's logic is admirably clear and well laid out.. .. It is an imaginative and thought-provoking interpretation.. . .

Perspectives on Politics

Concise, rich, and provocative.

Seventeenth-Century News

The author gives a comprehensive image of Hobbes' political project.... Vaughan compellingly refutes in this book many traditional interpretations of Hobbes' political projects and develops his own intriguing alternative account of Hobbes' project both skillfully and persuasively.

Political Studies Review

Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Recommended.

Choice

Recommended.

CHOICE

Recommended.--CHOICE

Concise, rich, and provocative.--Seventeenth-Century News

The author gives a comprehensive image of Hobbes' political project.... Vaughan compellingly refutes in this book many traditional interpretations of Hobbes' political projects and develops his own intriguing alternative account of Hobbes' project both skillfully and persuasively.--Political Studies Review, May 2009, Vol 7 No 2

From the Publisher

This book resembles some piano performances, in which the pianist's left hand traces a conventional melody line while the right flies off in audacious arpeggios . . . . Vaughn's logic is admirably clear and well laid out. . . . It is an imaginative and thought-provoking interpretation. . . .

Perspectives On Politics