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Lec 2 -Hobbes: Authority, Human Rights and Social Order

"Lec 2 -Hobbes: Authority, Human Rights and Social Order"Foundations of Modern Social Thought (SOCY 151) An examination of Hobbes's lifetime reveals that the uncertainty of the British monarchy during his life (1588-1679) inspires Hobbes's social and political thought, especially regarding the role of the sovereign to provide for the security of his subjects. We consider the major elements of Hobbes's political and social thought including the state of nature, equality of men, the social contract, the strong sovereign, and legitimate rule. Hobbes's work privileges security of individuals through a strong sovereign but also asserts the right of subjects to transfer their allegiance to a new sovereign if the ruler does not provide for their security; this element of his work in particular and others made him a controversial thinker who was forced into exile for a time. His work has been rediscovered in recent years by economists and other social scientists who see him as the first rational choice theorist. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Hobbes in a Historical Context 09:05 - Chapter 2. Hobbes Enters Politics as a Royalist 18:58 - Chapter 3. "Leviathan": Structure and Major Themes 22:38 - Chapter 4. Human Nature 32:40 - Chapter 5. The Social Contract 37:49 - Chapter 6. Power of the Sovereign 40:56 - Chapter 7. Hobbes's Contributions and Shortcomings Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses This course was recorded in Fall 2009.

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