Hobbes, Locke, and Confusion’s Masterpiece: An Examination of Seventeenth-Century Political Philosophy

In this major study of the foundations of modern political theory the eminent political philosopher Ross Harrison explains, analyzes, and criticizes the work of Hobbes, Locke, and their contemporaries. He provides a full account of the turbulent historical background that shaped the political, intellectual, and religious content of this philosophy. The book explores such questions as the limits of political authority and the relation of the legitimacy of government to the will of its people in non-technical, accessible prose that will appeal to students of philosophy, politics, theology and history.

•  Author is well-known in the areas of political philosophy and has published with Oxford, Cambridge, and Routledge •  Early modern period is one of the most widely studied periods of philosophy •  Cross-disciplinary appeal in politics and history of ideas •  Accessible style and careful integration of historical and political background

Introduction; 1. The word; 2. The great beast Leviathan; 3. The state of nature’s law; 4. The birth of justice; 5. War and peace; 6. Locke’s law; 7. Disobedient Locke; 8. The key to Locke’s property; 9. Why utility pleases.

‘… an outstanding treatment of seventeenth-century political philosophy … Harrison is far more philosophically tenacious than are most commentators on the political thought of this period. His questing interpretations of the works of familiar authors tease out puzzles in their arguments that are rarely discussed … He is sensitive to historical context in which the theories emerged and the historical situations of their authors. He presents the work of Grotius, Hobbes etc. as attempts to deal with the problems raised by war and civil conflict, and weaves historical and philosophical themes together with immense skill.’

– Susan James, Birkbeck College, University of London