# VII: Of the Ends, or Resolutions of Discourse explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Hobbes examines the ends of discourse, distinguishing between opinion, judgment, science, and faith. He argues that no discourse can yield absolute knowledge of fact, only conditional knowledge of consequences. He explores the nature of conscience, belief, and faith, emphasizing that faith in authority is ultimately faith in men, not in God.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Passions

Hobbes explores how the passions drive discourse, with opinion and judgment arising from the chain of thoughts, and how men cling to their opinions as if they were conscience.

### Religion and Civil Authority

The chapter examines the nature of faith and belief in religious contexts, arguing that faith in Scripture is ultimately faith in the Church or human authority, not direct revelation.

## Character check-ins

### Alexander the Great

Mentioned as an example of historical figures whose acts are recorded by historians, illustrating that belief in such accounts is faith in the historian, not the subject.

### Julius Caesar

Mentioned alongside Alexander as an example of historical figures whose deeds are reported by historians, used to argue that disbelief in such reports is distrust of the historian, not the figure.

## Key lines

> No discourse whatsoever can end in absolute knowledge of fact, past or to come.

No reasoning can lead to certain knowledge of any fact, whether past or future.

_Hobbes asserts the limits of human reason in attaining absolute truth._

> When two or more men know of one and the same fact, they are said to be 'conscious' of it one to another; which is as much as to know it together.

When multiple people are aware of the same fact, they are said to be conscious of it together, meaning they share that knowledge.

_Hobbes defines consciousness as shared knowledge, linking it to the concept of conscience._

> So that it is evident, that whatsoever we believe, upon no other reason than what is drawn from authority of men only, and their writings, whether they be sent from God or not, is faith in men only.

Therefore, any belief based solely on human authority or writings, even if claimed to be from God, is actually faith in humans alone.

_Hobbes concludes that faith in religious texts is ultimately trust in human witnesses, not divine revelation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/vii-of-the-ends-or-resolutions-of-discourse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters