INFO I453 (Spring 2025) Ethics on Exhibit / Birth of Leviathan
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Birth of Leviathan

One of the most influential political works of all time, Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan" asks what justifies political authority and who has the right to rule. According to Hobbes, humans are, by nature, unsuited for political life, and the only way they can achieve political order is by abandoning their inclination toward judgment and delegating it to someone else. Through this delegation, "the many" transfer their right to self-government to their sovereign, typically a monarch, in a social contract exchanging liberty for security.

Project People

Front page of Leviathan
#InformationLiteracy #LillyLibrary #I453

My Project

"Leviathan" demonstrates social contract theory by arguing that morality and the right to rule arises from individuals surrendering their freedoms to a sovereign for security. Without a government, the state is chaotic, making ethical rules necessary for survival. "Leviathan" establishes the foundation for modern political ethics, where order and morality depend on collective agreement and centralized authority.

Images used with permission from the Lilly Library

Link

Big Points

  • Title: Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
  • Author: Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679)
  • Year: 1651
  • Publication Place / Publisher: London, Printed for Andrew Crooke
  • Lilly Library Call Number: JC153 .H65 1651

About Me Email Me

Profile photo for team member.

Mason Newlin

Mason is an Undergrad at Indiana University with the Luddy School of Informatics and the College of Arts and Sciences studying Informatics and Philosophy/Political Science. He is also a head organizer and treasurer for Smash @ IUB.

msnewlin@iu.edu

Instructors & Associate Instructors

Faculty

Alexis Peirce Caudell

abpeirce@iu.edu
Faculty

Erin Chiparo

echiparo@iu.edu
TA

Ansh Arora

aa15@iu.edu
ansharora-iub
TA

Sia Sardana

siasard@iu.edu
siasardana
TA

James Taylor

jtt1@iu.edu