Humanity, the Sovereign, and The State of Nature: Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan | E13 The TAC Podcast
The TAC Podcast
In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we dive into the dark and radical world of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan. We explore Hobbes's view of the human being as a machine, the terrifying reality of the "State of Nature," and why he believes the Sovereign is the only thing standing between us and total chaos. Is Hobbes a realist or a cynic? Join us as we unpack his views on materialism, speech, and the eternal tension between political power and religious authority. Subscribe for more deep dives into the Great Books and the ideas that shaped the West. 00:00 - Introduction: The Artificial Animal 01:24 - Man as a Machine: Hobbes's Radical Materialism 05:15 - Sense and Imagination: How We Perceive the World 08:34 - The Root of Desire: Appetites and Aversions 12:50 - The Power of Speech and Reason 16:13 - Perpetual Restlessness: The Human Drive for Power 21:25 - The State of Nature: A War of All Against All 25:50 - The Birth of the Sovereign: Why We Create the Leviathan 28:30 - The Challenge of Religion: Secular vs. Divine Authority 35:45 - Hobbes's Legacy: Realism in the Modern World 42:36 - Closing Thoughts
About Podcast
Each week, senior members of the teaching faculty open a window into the intellectual life of the College through conversations rooted in the Great Books and the pursuit of first principles. Together, they explore the foundational questions that have shaped Western civilization.
Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, the podcast invites listeners into the same kind of thoughtful, rigorous dialogue that defines the classroom experience. From ancient mathematics and astronomy to philosophy, theology, and modern science, each episode seeks to understand the truth of things by returning to first principles.
Occasionally featuring guest scholars and educators, the show offers rich discussions on the Great Books, liberal education, and the enduring relevance of classical learning.
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