Aller au contenu
The Library
of Alexandria
Se connecterTry 3 months free3 months free

Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Part 63 summary

Part 63 of 65 · Part 4: Of the Kingdom of Darkness · 5 min to read the part

In Who the Authors of Spiritual Darkness Are, Hobbes identifies religious authorities who profit from mistaken teaching and blames sovereigns who permit their encroachments. He traces church power through three stages, explains their reversal in England, and supports freedom of conscience when it avoids faction and personal allegiance.

What happens

  1. The test of who benefits identifies the Pope, Roman clergy, and supporters of earthly divine government as sources of spiritual darkness.
  2. Christian sovereigns share responsibility because they permit teachings that undermine their authority before popular support makes resistance ineffective.
  3. Clerical power grows through presbyterial discipline, episcopal authority, and the Bishop of Rome’s supremacy, forming three successive restraints on Christian liberty.
  4. In England, Queen Elizabeth removes papal power, Presbyterians abolish episcopacy, and Presbyterian authority also falls.
  5. Hobbes conditionally favors independent belief and urges religious teachers to earn authority through virtue rather than deception or suppressed knowledge.

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Léviathan de 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
Commencez 90 jours gratuitsNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.

In this part

the Pope

Quick check

Who removes papal power in the account of England?

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Léviathan de 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
Commencez 90 jours gratuitsNothing 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