num_pages: 258
description: When Leviathan first appeared in 1651, it was recognized as a work of extraordinary scope, uniting metaphysical, theological, and political arguments into a single distinctive outlook. Contending that modern readers do the book an injustice by neglecting its metaphysical and theological themes, David Johnston supports his claim with a detailed examination of the text as a whole and with a reinterpretation of the genesis of the work."…presents an original and suggestive interpretation of Hobbes's political thought. Indeed, it is the best book on Hobbes in recent years, and, hopefully, it will help to redirect Hobbes scholars toward new paths of interpretive exploration. More importantly, it ought to be read by anyone interested in exploring 'the ideological or cultural foundations of political power,' and the ways in which political theorists contribute to or seek to undermine those foundations." -- Richard Ashcraft, Albion"The best writings on Hobbes have always been those that boldly sought to unify the warring elements in his thought. Johnston has written a book belonging to this category. It is unquestionably essential reading for anyone seriously interested in Hobbes." -- Timothy Fuller, International Hobbes Association Newsletter
language: English
title: The Rhetoric of Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes and the Politics of Cultural Transformation
titlecomplete: The Rhetoric of Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes and the Politics of Cultural Transformation (Studies in Moral, Political, and Legal Philosophy, 1)
genres: Philosophy
ratings_count: 2
publisher: Princeton University Press