Hobbes's theory of the will : ideological reasons and historical circumstances

In Hobbes's Theory of the Will, Jurgen Overhoff reveals the religious, ethical, and political consequences of Thomas Hobbes's doctrine of volition. The author gracefully describes how Hobbes's thought was governed by assumptions based firmly in Galilean natural philosophy and orthodox Protestant theology. Overhoff also demonstrates how his subject used materialist eschatology and an absolutist political theory to resolve the social and ethical predicaments that coincided with these assumptions. Finally, Overhoff provides a chronological study of the numerous philosophical, theological, religious and political aspects of Hobbes's idea of the will and situates Hobbes's doctrine within the context of the most important responses and objections put forward by his critics. Cover 1 Title Page 2 Copyright Page 3 Dedication Page 4 Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Notes on the Text 10 1: Introduction 12 2: The Formation and Structure of Hobbes's Theory of the Will 22 3: Hobbes's Political Interpretation of his Theory of the Will 86 4: Hobbes's Theological Defense of his Theory of the Will 140 5: Further Religious Implications of Hobbes's Theory of the Will: His Materialist Eschatology 188 6: Conclusion 240 Bibliography 248 Index 268 About the Author 278 This text examines the scientific premises and theoretical bases and the religious, ethical, and political consequences of Hobbes' theory of volition. In this study, the author reveals Hobbes' philosophical and theological assumptions in order to resolve social and ethical dilemmas.