Thomas Hobbes - Leviathan - Book 1, Ch. 1-3
15 Questions
101 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What do the first 3 chapters of Leviathan concern?

  • The evolution of society
  • The laws of physics
  • The mechanics of the human mind (correct)
  • The nature of government
  • 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?

    <p>The action of external bodies colliding with our sensitive organs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the continuation of motion responsible for?

    <p>The transformation of sense into thoughts or imagination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'decaying sense'?

    <p>Hobbes' definition of imagination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is memory?

    <p>Imagination over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is experience?

    <p>Memory of things sensed from the outside world</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a dream?

    <p>Sensation of internal movements when one is asleep</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a vision or apparition?

    <p>Sensation of internal movements when one is awake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is understanding?

    <p>A particular form of imagination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'train of thoughts' or 'mental discourse'?

    <p>The succession of one imagination upon another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the 2 possible trains of thoughts?

    <p>The 'unguided' train and the 'regulated' train</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Hobbes make his arguments?

    <p>In a series of steps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How must philosophical truth be deduced?

    <p>From shared definitions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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

    • Chapter 1: "Of Sense"

      • Discusses the origins of knowledge through sensory experiences.
      • Asserts that the physical world interacts with our senses, leading to perception.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    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.

    More Like This

    Hobbes' Leviathan and Security Dilemma
    24 questions
    Hobbes Leviathan Chapter 21
    10 questions

    Hobbes Leviathan Chapter 21

    MatchlessAltoSaxophone avatar
    MatchlessAltoSaxophone
    Hobbes' Leviathan and the State of Nature
    16 questions
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser