On the Role of Religious Context in Understanding Thomas Hobbes’ Theory of Political Obligation: In the Case of ‘The Proper Signification of Liberty’
Author: Yu-Kang Liang
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
Does Thomas Hobbes think that the authority of the sovereign is generated from God or from its own plenary power? This article tries to approach this issue by comparing Quentin Skinners’ conception of ‘proper signification of liberty’ and S. A. Lloyd’s religious interpretation of Hobbes’ theory. I argue that although Skinner’s interpretation of liberty can account for some philosophical parts of Hobbes’ theory of political obligation, it fails to account for the other historical or religious parts of the theory. Apart from the philosophical or scientific context, the historical or religious context also plays a significant role, which is well demonstrated in Lloyd’s theory. The combination of these two can lead to a better understanding of Hobbes’ theory of political obligation.