Leviathan

Leviathan

by

Thomas Hobbes

Science is “the knowledge of Consequences” and is the “true Mother” of the arts and philosophy, mostly mathematics. However, since science is brought to light by the imagination of another, it has very little power. Some signs within science are certain and factual, while others are not, as the knowledge that comes from prudence is always uncertain. An ignorance of science and the natural causes of events can lead a person to rely too much on other people’s opinions or attribute supernatural causes to natural events. Hobbes warns that power can never be maintained through the suppression of science and reason.
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Science Term Timeline in Leviathan

The timeline below shows where the term Science appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Introduction
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...their self, but all of humankind, and doing so is more difficult than learning any science or language. (full context)
Chapter 5: Of Reason, and Science
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...The knowledge of the consequences of one name in relation to another is known as science. Sense and memory are the knowledge of facts; however, science “is the knowledge of Consequences.”... (full context)
Chapter 7: Of the Ends, or Resolutions of Discourse
Religion Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...discourse begins with defined words, builds on connections between definitions, and ends with a conclusion. Science is the conditional knowledge drawn from such discourse, but if the discourse is not grounded... (full context)
Chapter 8: Of the VERTUES commonly called INTELLECTUAL: and their contrary DEFECTS
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...method. Acquired wit is grounded in the correct use of speech and definitions and produces science. Different wits are caused by different passions, and from different passions come different bodies and... (full context)
Chapter 9: Of the Severall Subjects of Knowledge
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...of the Consequence of one Affirmation to another,” and this knowledge is conditional and includes science. (full context)
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...recording of the history of human beings and their actions in common-wealths. This collection of science, which includes books that contain “Demonstrations of Consequences of one Affirmation, to another” are known... (full context)
Chapter 10: Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthinesse
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...and jealousy. One’s reputation is power, and so is love for one’s country, but the sciences are “small Power.” Arts for public use and defense, such as the production of engines... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
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Actions coming from experience, discretion, wit, and science are honorable, as each of these are a form of power. Actions that come from... (full context)
Chapter 11: Of the difference of Manners
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...ambition. Timidity disposes one to indecision, but eloquence implies wisdom and kindness. An ignorance of science and the causes of events can lead one to rely too much on other people’s... (full context)
Chapter 13: Of the Naturall Condition of Mankind, as concerning their Felicity, and Misery
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...nature, there is no industry, no certainty, and no culture. There is no knowledge of science, letters, or arts, and there is no accounting of time. In nature, there is only... (full context)
Chapter 15: Of other Lawes of Nature
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...“it can never be that Warre (war) shall preserve life, and peace destroy it.” The science of these laws and the study of what is good and evil in civil society... (full context)
Chapter 47: Of the BENEFIT that proceedeth from such Darknesse, and to whom it accreweth
Religion Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
Power cannot be maintained by suppression of science and reason, nor can it be maintained by obscure language or holy frauds. From the... (full context)