Leaving politics behind: Arendtian and Hegelian reading of Hobbes

Issue Date

2013

Abstract

The Hobbesian social contract is effectively a repudiation of politics. And the story of humanity it tells is that of alienation. The multitude left politics behind in the state of nature, demarcating it as the power and domain of the Sovereign, as they surrendered their political capacities-their wills and judgments-to constitute the commonwealth. What they got in return is the guarantee to safely pursue the necessities of life. Thus, the politics of the modern state, as applied to subjects, has always been the administration and care of mere life. This interpretation depends on a Hegelian and Arendtian reading of Hobbes.

Source or Periodical Title

Philosophia

ISSN

2244-1875

Volume

41

Issue

1

Page

83-98

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS