Historical Dictionary of Hobbes's Philosophy
By (author) Juhana Lemetti
Publication date:
16 December 2011Length of book:
434 pagesPublisher
Scarecrow PressISBN-13: 9780810850651
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is one of the most important early modern thinkers. Though Hobbes is best known for Leviathan (1651) and the theory of absolute sovereignty, his works discuss virtually all the major problems of philosophy as well as science and mathematics, and contain the translations of classical texts like Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, a verse church history, and various essays. Hobbes spent most of his adult life in the service of the influential Cavendish family.
The Historical Dictionary of Hobbes's Philosophy offers a comprehensive guide to the many facets of Hobbes's work. Through its chronology, introductory essay, bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on concepts, people, works, and technical terms, Hobbes's impact on philosophy and related fields is made accessible to the reader in this must-have reference. Intended as a reference to learn about particular aspects of Hobbes, it also serves as a quick guide to check information and find the relevant secondary literature on Hobbes. It is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Thomas Hobbes.
The Historical Dictionary of Hobbes's Philosophy offers a comprehensive guide to the many facets of Hobbes's work. Through its chronology, introductory essay, bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on concepts, people, works, and technical terms, Hobbes's impact on philosophy and related fields is made accessible to the reader in this must-have reference. Intended as a reference to learn about particular aspects of Hobbes, it also serves as a quick guide to check information and find the relevant secondary literature on Hobbes. It is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Thomas Hobbes.
Thomas Hobbes is one of the foremost among very influential political philosophers. His Leviathan is a major classic in the canon and is taught in most colleges and universities at all levels. In this clearly written companion to Hobbes's thought, Lemetti (Univ. of Helsinki, Finland) offers a not quite comprehensive guidebook, primarily for reading Leviathan. He defines and explains Hobbes's concepts, and includes other philosophers and people in his life, as well as topics that pertain to his thought....The biographical chronology and introduction are interesting and very useful. Lemetti is fair and unbiased, neither praising nor critically commenting on Hobbes's works. The 550 or so entries range from two inches to two pages, and include quotations from Hobbes or his commentators. Most terms are cross-referenced. Because Hobbes wrote in Old English, this companion is very helpful. This reviewer--who teaches Hobbes and admires his philosophy--found this dictionary stimulating enough, and an excellent resource for research, especially because of its lengthy bibliography (p. 365-404). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Library reference collections supporting upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty