Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Chapter 13 summary
Chapter 13 of 65 · Part 1: Of Man · 8 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 13, the argument traces how human equality produces rivalry and distrust, making life without a common authority a condition of war. This condition prevents secure work, property, and justice, but fear of death, desire for comfort, and reason offer grounds for agreement and peace.
What happens
- People have sufficiently equal abilities that each can threaten others and hope to obtain the same desired goods.
- Competition, distrust, and glory drive violence for gain, safety, and reputation.
- Without a shared power, war consists in a continuing readiness to fight, not merely actual battles.
- Such insecurity prevents productive work and social life; ordinary precautions and civil war help illustrate the argument.
- Independent rulers maintain a warlike posture, but their protection of their subjects allows productive work to continue.
- Without common authority, neither injustice nor secure ownership exists; passions and reason nevertheless provide motives and terms for peace.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Leviathan von Thomas Hobbes, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
In this chapter
Quick check
What distinguishes war from peace in this chapter?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Leviathan von Thomas Hobbes, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
