Thomas Hobbes is one of the foremost among very influential political philosophers. His Leviathan is a major classic in the canon and is taught in most colleges and universities at all levels. In this clearly written companion to Hobbes's thought, Lemetti (Univ. of Helsinki, Finland) offers a not quite comprehensive guidebook, primarily for reading Leviathan. He defines and explains Hobbes's ... Read moreconcepts, and includes other philosophers and people in his life, as well as topics that pertain to his thought....The biographical chronology and introduction are interesting and very useful. Lemetti is fair and unbiased, neither praising nor critically commenting on Hobbes's works. The 550 or so entries range from two inches to two pages, and include quotations from Hobbes or his commentators. Most terms are cross-referenced. Because Hobbes wrote in Old English, this companion is very helpful. This reviewer
who teaches Hobbes and admires his philosophy
found this dictionary stimulating enough, and an excellent resource for research, especially because of its lengthy bibliography (p. 365-404). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Library reference collections supporting upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty
CHOICE
Lemetti’s (Hobbes Studies) thorough lexicon covers the concepts, writings, and historical figures shaping Hobbes’s beliefs and the scholarly understanding of his philosophy. The opening chronology lists salient events in the philosopher’s life, while a 25-page introductory essay provides an insightful overview of his life and his contributions to philosophy, language, politics, math, science, and psychology. The fully cross-referenced entries are concise, well written, and specific in identifying where ideas or figures appear in Hobbes’s writings. A 39-page bibliography offers critical research leads. VERDICT Excellent for Hobbes scholars and Western political philosophy collections.
Library Journal
The Historical Dictionary of Hobbes’s Philosophy, one of the latest additions to the series Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements, is another excellent work. A student or researcher new to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) will find all the main points of his philosophy and work covered in one accessible book.
Journal Of Religious & Theological Information
This dictionary offers a comprehensive introduction to the intellectual, historical, and cultural context of Hobbesian thought; a year-to-year chronology of the important events and persons in his life; and the significant events and person’s that influenced his intellectual ideas or reacted to them. Following the introduction is an A-Z compendium of Hobbes’s ideas, including the persons and events that influenced and responded to his writings. The extensive bibliography includes an introduction to Hobbesian scholarship, including texts, manuscripts, editions and translations, writers concerned with Hobbes’s ideas, and additional research literature. This is a well-organized and timely volume that will be useful to undergraduate students as well as graduate students and scholars interested in Hobbesian studies.
American Reference Books Annual
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