La mente dell’uomo è come un foglio bianco: educazione e potere nel pensiero politico di Thomas Hobbes

Abstract

In an England strongly proved by civil wars, Hobbes writes his political works, the Elements of Law, the De Cive, the Leviathan and the Behemoth in which, applying a new rational-scientific method and inaugurating a new kind of politics, he describes his ideal state. An absolute state which, following the logic of authorization, decides in every area of ​​the individual’s life, included the control of opinions and education, considered by the English philosopher the major causes of sedition and anarchy. The aim of this paper is to show how hobbesian absolute sovereignty is above all a simple answer to the historical context, thus the consensus on civil matters required for peace can be secured only through rigorous and universal civic education overseen by the sovereign in the universities.

Keywords

• education
• universities
• sedition
• sovereignty
• control of opinions