The ‘Lust of the Mind’: Curiosity in Hobbes’ Leviathan

Abstract

homas Hobbes includes “curiosity” to an extended catalogue of the passions that he principally distinguishes as beneficial or detrimental to human kind. In this light curiosity holds up a prominent position in his thought which he considers as the motivating factor that leads people to discover new worlds and broaden their horizons. An indicative definition of curiosity as found in Hobbes’ Leviathan proceeds as follows: