In Thomas Hobbes's political philosophy, as outlined in his seminal work "Leviathan," the concept of the Leviathan represents a powerful sovereign authority or state. The Leviathan is absolute in the sense that it holds supreme power within a society and exercises absolute authority over its subjects. This absolute authority is necessary, according to Hobbes, to maintain order and prevent the chaos of the state of nature, where individuals are in constant conflict with each other.
However, Hobbes distinguishes the absolute power of the Leviathan from autocracy or tyranny. While the Leviathan possesses supreme authority, its power is not arbitrary or unchecked. Instead, it is bound by the laws of nature or the social contract, which dictate that the sovereign's primary purpose is to ensure the security and well-being of its subjects. The Leviathan's authority is derived from the consent of the governed, either explicitly or implicitly, through the social contract.
Moreover, Hobbes emphasizes that the Leviathan's authority is limited by its obligation to uphold the rights and liberties of its subjects. The sovereign must govern according to laws that are just and equitable, and it must protect the natural rights of individuals, such as the right to life and liberty. Thus, while the Leviathan possesses absolute authority, it is not free to act arbitrarily or oppressively. Instead, its power is constrained by moral and legal principles aimed at promoting the common good and preserving social order.
