Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Chapter 12 summary
Chapter 12 of 65 · Part 1: Of Man · 18 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 12, Hobbes traces religion to human curiosity, anxiety, and ignorance of causes, then explains how religious founders shape these tendencies into systems of obedience. He distinguishes invented religion from divine revelation and argues that contradictions, misconduct, self-interest, and missing supernatural evidence undermine trust in religious leaders.
What happens
- Human curiosity about causes and concern about future fortune encourage belief in invisible powers.
- Hobbes identifies four religious seeds: ghosts, ignorance of causes, fearful devotion, and predictions drawn from chance.
- Religious founders cultivate these tendencies either through human invention or through divine direction.
- Gentile lawmakers develop gods, ceremonies, and predictions to encourage obedience and preserve public peace.
- Divinely revealed religion joins religious duties and civil laws within God’s kingdom.
- Hobbes explains religious change through lost trust in teachers whose contradictions, misconduct, private interests, or unsupported claims discredit them.
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Which practice undermines a religious teacher’s reputation for wisdom?
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