Podcast
Questions and Answers
What do the first 3 chapters of Leviathan concern?
What does Hobbes argue?
That our knowledge of the world originates from external bodies pressing against our sensory apparatus
How does Hobbes depict objects?
Continually bumping against each other
What are senses then?
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What is the continuation of motion responsible for?
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What is 'decaying sense'?
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What is memory?
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What is experience?
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What is a dream?
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What is a vision or apparition?
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What is understanding?
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What is 'train of thoughts' or 'mental discourse'?
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What are the 2 possible trains of thoughts?
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How does Hobbes make his arguments?
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How must philosophical truth be deduced?
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Study Notes
Overview of Leviathan - Book 1, Chapters 1-3
- Book 1 titled "Of Man" explores the nature of human understanding and cognition.
- The chapters focus on sense perception, imagination, and thought processes.
Chapter Summaries
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Chapter 1: "Of Sense"
- Discusses the origins of knowledge through sensory experiences.
- Asserts that the physical world interacts with our senses, leading to perception.
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Chapter 2: "Of Imagination"
- Defines imagination as "decaying sense," where mental images persist after the stimulus is gone.
- Explains how continued motion transforms sensory input into thoughts.
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Chapter 3: "Of the Consequence or Trayne of Imaginations"
- Examines the succession of thoughts and how one idea prompts another.
- Differentiates between unguided (random) and regulated (directed) trains of thought.
Key Concepts
- Knowledge arises from external objects affecting our senses.
- Senses are the result of interactions between external bodies and our sensory organs.
- Imagination serves as a bridge from sensory perception to thought, with memory being a longer-lasting form of imagination.
- Experience is built upon memories of sensed objects.
Imagination and Perception
- Dreams and visions represent internal sensations during sleep and wakefulness, respectively.
- Understanding is a specific outcome of imagination linked to physical sensations of language or signs.
Mental Processes
- "Train of thoughts" theory highlights the connection between successive mental images and their influence on thinking.
- The two types of thought trains are unguided (as in dreams) and regulated (focused thinking).
- Hobbes develops arguments progressively, grounding each step in previously established ideas.
Philosophical Methodology
- For Hobbes, philosophical truths must derive from shared definitions to ensure clarity and coherence in arguments.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of Thomas Hobbes' 'Leviathan' with this quiz covering Book 1, Chapters 1-3. Delve into topics such as sense, imagination, and the mechanics of the human mind. Perfect for students seeking to understand Hobbes' philosophical framework.
