The Book Club | PragerU John Yoo: Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
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Mar 21, 2023 
Michael Knowles and guest John Yoo discuss how Hobbes's Leviathan shaped political philosophy. They explore Hobbes as the first modern political philosopher, his views on law, the relevance of his ideas in America, the symbolism of the monster Leviathan, and the conservative nature of the American Revolution.
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Hobbes's Focus
- Hobbes prioritizes peace and order above metaphysical musings, focusing on preventing violence and death.
- He redefines the Golden Rule negatively: "don't do unto others what you don't want them to do to you."
Interpreting Hobbes
- Hobbes's Leviathan can be interpreted as both libertarian and totalitarian, depending on the reader.
- While favoring monarchy, Hobbes allows for any form of sovereignty to maintain order.
Hobbesian Sovereign
- According to Hobbes, the sovereign has absolute power, including over religious matters.
- This is to prevent any alternative authority from interfering with the sovereign's commands.