Leviathan
Or, The Matter, Form and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil
Thomas Hobbes published Leviathan in 1651, at the end of the English civil wars, to explain why men need a sovereign and why they must obey one. Starting from a mechanical account of sensation, language and passion, he describes the condition of mankind without government as a war of every man against every man, in which life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short, and derives from it the covenant by which people give up their natural liberty to an absolute power. The third and fourth parts apply the argument to Scripture and to the claims of churches. The prose is hard, witty and unforgiving, and the book remains the starting point of modern political philosophy. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Leviathan
Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Leviathan online?
Yes. Leviathan opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Leviathan free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Leviathan is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Leviathan in the public domain?
Yes. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Leviathan?
About 13 h 49 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Leviathan?
Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
