Understanding Intellectual Virtue and Passion in Leviathan

🧠Intellectual virtue in Leviathan is characterized by wit, the ability to think quickly and purposefully in order to achieve success.

🎭Good judgment, discretion, and fancy form a continuum between creativity and imagination, determining one's achievements.

😤Excessive fancy without proper judgment leads to madness, manifesting as anger, melancholy, or giddiness.

📚Knowledge of fact and knowledge of consequence are distinct categories, with history falling under the former and science and philosophy under the latter.

💪Power, honor, and value are not absolute and depend on the judgments and needs of others in society.

What is intellectual virtue in Leviathan?

—Intellectual virtue in Leviathan refers to the ability to think quickly and purposefully in order to achieve success. It is characterized by wit and is essential for accomplishing various tasks.

How does Hobbes explain the relationship between passion and madness?

—Hobbes states that excessive passion without proper judgment can lead to madness, which can manifest as anger, melancholy, or giddiness. He emphasizes the importance of proportional qualities in maintaining mental stability.

What are the different types of knowledge according to Hobbes?

—Hobbes distinguishes between knowledge of fact and knowledge of consequence. Knowledge of fact involves the senses and memory, while knowledge of consequence encompasses science and philosophy.

What is the relationship between power, honor, and value?

—According to Hobbes, power, honor, and value are not absolute and depend on the judgments and needs of others in society. They are relative concepts that vary based on societal norms and perceptions.

How does Hobbes view the ideal Commonwealth?

—Hobbes sees the ideal Commonwealth as having a monarch at its head. He believes that a stable social order requires a strong central authority to maintain peace and prevent conflicts.

00:09In part one of Leviathan, chapters 8 through 10, Thomas Hobbes discusses the concept of intellectual virtue and its importance.

00:19Hobbes explores the qualities of good judgment, discretion, and fancy, which play a significant role in achieving accomplishments.

00:47Excessive fancy without proper judgment can lead to madness, such as anger, melancholy, or giddiness, according to Hobbes.

01:09Hobbes distinguishes between knowledge of fact, which involves the senses and memory, and knowledge of consequence, which encompasses science and philosophy.

01:47Hobbes explores the relationship between power, honor, and value, emphasizing that these concepts are not absolute and depend on societal judgments and needs.