The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 04 (of 11)

This volume opens a bold exploration of the foundations of political thought. Hobbes lays out his “Tripos” in three systematic discourses, beginning with an examination of human nature that seeks to uncover the underlying faculties, acts and passions of the soul. He then moves to “De Corpore Politico,” where the elements of law are constructed from those same basic principles, and finally to “Of Liberty and Necessity,” a careful analysis of freedom within the bounds of natural determinism.

Beyond the core philosophical treatises, the collection includes Hobbes’s spirited reply to Bishop Bramhall’s criticisms, a vivid historical narration on heresy and its punishment, and thoughtful reflections on the reputation and loyalty of the philosopher himself. Supplementary letters and answers to contemporary literary prefaces round out the work, offering a window into the lively intellectual debates of his era. Listeners will find a richly annotated text that invites careful listening and reflection on the roots of modern political theory.