Liberty, Rationality, and Agency in Hobbes's Leviathan

Häftad, Engelska, 2001

AvDavid Mill,David Van Mill,David van Mill,David van Mill

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A new interpretation of the theory of Hobbes.Marking a significant departure from most scholarship on Hobbes, this book offers new interpretations of his theories of freedom, agency, rationality, morality, psychology, and politics. Hobbes's arguments concerning many different aspects of civil society and human psychology are brought together to provide a comprehensive theory of agency. Hobbes's theory of freedom is demonstrated to be considerably more complicated than previously thought, revealing a concern with both "internal" and "external" conditions of action. On close examination Hobbes can be seen to move beyond his limited definition of negative liberty and to champion autonomous rational action. Throughout, the book evaluates the relevance of this reformulation for contemporary debates in political philosophy.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2001-07-19
Mått151 x 229 x 14 mm
Vikt340 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor265
FörlagState University of New York Press
ISBN9780791450369

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Acknowledgments Part I: Introduction and Theoretical Framework Chapter 1. Introduction Summary of the Chapters Chapter 2. The Scope of Freedom IntroductionCharles Taylor and Positive Freedom DesiresRationality Flathman and Negative FreedomFlathman on AutonomyInternal and External FreedomConclusion Part II: Freedom, Autonomy, Rationality, and Morality Chapter 3. Hobbes and Negative Freedom IntroductionExternal Freedom and CausalityFreedom and WillFear and FreedomObligation and Freedom The State of NatureThe Laws of Nature and the Right of NatureCivil Society Conclusion Chapter 4. The Internal Conditions of Freedom:Complex Instrumental Rationality and Autonomy IntroductionInstrumental RationalityHobbesian Rationality: Good as the Promise of Things to ComeRationality and Coherent Action: Good as UtileConclusion Chapter 5. The Internal Conditions of Freedom:Substantive Rationality and Autonomy IntroductionSubstantive Rationality and Autonomy: Good as JucundumRationality and Self-regarding ActionsRationality and Other-regarding ActionsConclusion Chapter 6. Voluntarism and Morality IntroductionHobbes's Psychology Psychological EgoismMoralityConclusion Part III: External Freedom Chapter 7. Freedom, Equality, and the Laws of Nature IntroductionThe Harm Principle and the Protection of Freedom and EqualityThe Laws of Nature and the SovereignSovereignty and DemocracyEducation, Censorship, Religion, Free Association, and the Preservation of Peace and FreedomEducation and OrderCensorshipFreedom of AssociationReligion and Order Conclusion Part IV: Conclusion Chapter 8. Hobbes's Dualism IntroductionDeterminismConsentEqualityPowerConclusion Notes Bibliography Index

"David van Mill challenges a long-standing view that Hobbes's theory can be pigeon-holed into a rational-actor behaviorist model, and suggests that Hobbes entertained a more expansive understanding of reason and rationality, closer to positive conceptions of agency. His arguments are clear and concise, yet at the same time detailed and rigorous." – John E. Seery, author of Political Theory of Morals: Shades of Justice, Images of Death