The principal thesis of this paper is that one must grasp the importance, or even the centrality, of Hobbes＇s idea of commonwealth by institution in Leviathan in order to fully understand and appreciate his arguments...The principal thesis of this paper is that one must grasp the importance, or even the centrality, of Hobbes＇s idea of commonwealth by institution in Leviathan in order to fully understand and appreciate his arguments concerning the political obligation of obedience. Until recently, this idea has not been given its due significance in the literature. It has been commonly held that Hobbes＇s theorizing about the foundation of the state was based upon his concept of covenant. This paper argues that crucial aspects of political obligation generated by Hobbes＇s concept of covenant could not be understood without a clear understanding of the relationship among the three elements embodied in his idea of commonwealth by institution-covenant, authorization and right-transfer. While several attempts have been made on this topic, the pictures that have been drawn by Hobbesian scholars are more or less inadequate. In particular, the significant roles which authorization and right-transfer play in Hobbes＇s account of political obligation have yet been made clear. By shifting focus upon the idea of commonwealth by institution and taking it as Hobbes＇s mechanism of explaining the nature and origins of political obligation of obedience, this paper examines in detail the specific questions which Hobbes was addressing by coining this term and elicits what exactly he may have meant to convey to his audiences.展开更多
文摘The principal thesis of this paper is that one must grasp the importance, or even the centrality, of Hobbes＇s idea of commonwealth by institution in Leviathan in order to fully understand and appreciate his arguments concerning the political obligation of obedience. Until recently, this idea has not been given its due significance in the literature. It has been commonly held that Hobbes＇s theorizing about the foundation of the state was based upon his concept of covenant. This paper argues that crucial aspects of political obligation generated by Hobbes＇s concept of covenant could not be understood without a clear understanding of the relationship among the three elements embodied in his idea of commonwealth by institution-covenant, authorization and right-transfer. While several attempts have been made on this topic, the pictures that have been drawn by Hobbesian scholars are more or less inadequate. In particular, the significant roles which authorization and right-transfer play in Hobbes＇s account of political obligation have yet been made clear. By shifting focus upon the idea of commonwealth by institution and taking it as Hobbes＇s mechanism of explaining the nature and origins of political obligation of obedience, this paper examines in detail the specific questions which Hobbes was addressing by coining this term and elicits what exactly he may have meant to convey to his audiences.
