Leviathan · Chapter
XLVI: Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy and Fabulous Traditions explained
Hobbes critiques vain philosophy, particularly Aristotelian 'separated essences,' for fostering superstitions like ghosts and transubstantiation, which undermine civil obedience.
What happens
Hobbes critiques vain philosophy, particularly Aristotelian 'separated essences,' for fostering superstitions like ghosts and transubstantiation, which undermine civil obedience. He defines true philosophy as reasoning from causes to effects, distinguishes it from prudence and revelation, and traces its historical rise in commonwealths. He condemns errors in civil philosophy, such as tyranny doctrines, inquisition of conscience, and clerical monopolies on teaching, which threaten sovereign authority.
Themes in this chapter
Sovereignty and Absolute Power
Hobbes argues that vain philosophy, especially doctrines of separated essences and clerical authority, undermines the sovereign's power by encouraging subjects to obey priests over the law.
Religion and Civil Authority
The chapter critiques how religious errors, such as belief in ghosts and transubstantiation, are used by clergy to frighten subjects and reduce their dependence on the sovereign.
Human Nature and Passions
Hobbes notes that fear of ghosts and damnation drives men to irrational beliefs and obedience to priests, exploiting natural passions to subvert civil order.
Characters to notice
- Aristotle
Hobbes blames Aristotle's doctrine of 'separated essences' for introducing vain philosophy that supports superstition and undermines civil obedience.
- Socrates
Mentioned as fearing the fate of Socrates, suggesting Aristotle may have written false philosophy to avoid a similar end.
- Luke
Cited for Acts 17:21, describing Athenians' love of telling and hearing news, which Hobbes uses to illustrate the leisure that fostered philosophy.
- Cicero
Referenced as a heathen philosopher whose civil philosophy Hobbes distinguishes from later errors like extending law to thoughts.
- Plato
Mentioned as teaching in the Academy, part of Hobbes's historical account of the rise of philosophical schools in Athens.
Key passages
“For it is upon this ground that when a man is dead and buried, they say his soul, that is his life, can walk separated from his body, and is seen by night amongst the graves.”
The belief in ghosts arises from the Aristotelian notion that the soul can exist apart from the body after death.
Hobbes links the doctrine of separated essences to superstitious practices that frighten people and weaken their obedience to civil law.
“Leisure is the mother of philosophy, and Commonwealth the mother of peace and leisure.”
Philosophy flourishes only when people have leisure, which is made possible by the peace that a commonwealth provides.
Hobbes traces the historical development of philosophy to the establishment of large, peaceful states.
“For who will endeavour to obey the laws, if he expect obedience to be poured or blown into him?”
If people believe virtue is infused supernaturally, they will not strive to obey the law through their own effort.
Hobbes criticizes the doctrine of infused virtues as undermining personal responsibility and civil obedience.