Leviathan · Chapter
XX: Of Dominion Paternal, and Despotical explained
Hobbes distinguishes between commonwealths by institution and by acquisition, arguing that both are founded on fear and yield the same absolute sovereign rights.
What happens
Hobbes distinguishes between commonwealths by institution and by acquisition, arguing that both are founded on fear and yield the same absolute sovereign rights. He examines paternal and despotical dominion, asserting that parental authority derives from the child's consent rather than generation, and that in the state of nature dominion belongs to the mother. He supports his claims with scriptural examples, concluding that subjects must not censure or dispute sovereign commands.
Themes in this chapter
Sovereignty and Absolute Power
Hobbes argues that sovereign power, whether by institution or acquisition, is absolute and cannot be limited by subjects, as any attempt to limit it subjects one to a greater power.
Human Nature and Passions
Fear of death and violence is the foundation of both commonwealths by institution and acquisition, highlighting the role of passion in political obligation.
Liberty and Obligation
Subjects are obligated to obey sovereign commands without dispute, as covenants made from fear are valid and disobedience leads to greater evils like civil war.
Religion and Civil Authority
Hobbes uses Scripture extensively to support absolute sovereignty, arguing that biblical examples (Adam, David, Christ) command simple obedience to rulers.
Characters to notice
- Adam
Cited in the allegory of the tree of knowledge to illustrate that subjects must not judge God's commandments.
- David
Refused to harm Saul, acknowledging him as the Lord's anointed, exemplifying obedience to sovereign authority.
- Saul
King of Israel whose life was spared by David, used to illustrate the duty of subjects to their sovereign.
- Solomon
Prayed for understanding to judge the people, demonstrating that the sovereign is judge of good and evil.
- St. Paul
Quoted for his commands that servants obey masters and children obey parents in all things, supporting simple obedience.
- Jesus Christ
Acknowledged paying taxes to Caesar and commanded his disciples to take the ass and colt, showing submission to sovereign authority.
- Moses
Referenced as the authority from whose chair the Scribes and Pharisees taught, requiring simple obedience.
Key passages
“The condition of man in this life shall never be without inconveniences; but there happeneth in no commonwealth any great inconvenience but what proceeds from the subject's disobedience, and breach of those covenants, from which the commonwealth has its being.”
Life always has problems, but the worst problems in a state come from subjects breaking the agreements that create the state.
Hobbes emphasizes that disobedience, not sovereign power, causes the greatest harms.
“For as to the generation, God hath ordained to man a helper; and there be always two that are equally parents: the dominion therefore over the child should belong equally to both; and he be equally subject to both, which is impossible, for no man can obey two masters.”
Since both parents are equally involved in creating a child, authority over the child would logically be shared, but that is impossible because no one can serve two masters.
Hobbes argues that parental dominion cannot be based on generation alone, leading to the need for a single authority.
“Whereby it is clearly, though allegorically, signified that the commands of them that have the right to command, are not by their subjects to be censured nor disputed.”
This allegory shows that subjects must not criticize or question the commands of those with rightful authority.
Hobbes uses the story of Adam and Eve to reinforce the principle of non-resistance to sovereign commands.
