This book is a study of two controversial topics in Hobbes' philosophy: morality and sovereignty. It distinguishes between the two versions of the covenant provided by Hobbes, one establishes a genuine system of morality based on the golden rule and the other justifies the absolute power of the sovereign. The author defends the moral theory through an examination of the various alternatives and the theory of sovereignty by testing it against historical experience.

This book takes a fresh look at two of the most controversial topics in Hobbes's philosophy: morality and sovereignty. It distinguishes between the two versions of the covenant provided by Hobbes, one of which establishes a genuine system or morality based on the golden rule and the other which justifies the absolute power of the sovereign. The author defends the moral theory through an examination of the various alternatives, and the theory of sovereignty by testing it against historical experience.