The Interpretation of Covenants in Leviathan

Abstract

This chapter is a reply to criticisms by Edwin Curley. An important reason that scholars do not agree about the correct interpretation of a text is that they have different networks of beliefs arising from different experiences and different affective states. For similar reasons, evaluations of interpretations will vary. Nonetheless, we can agree about properties of good interpretation, such as conservatism, generality, simplicity, coherence, completeness, and proportionality. But good interpretations may be strong in some virtues and weak in others. If the presence of perceived absurdities or contradictions were good grounds for thinking that the author was not serious in presenting them, then there would be good grounds for doubting that Hobbes took political philosophy seriously. These deficiencies are not signs of insincerity. A similar judgment should be made about perceived deficiencies of his religious views.