Filmer: 'Patriarcha' and Other Writings

This volume contains the political writings of Sir Robert Filmer (1588–1653), perhaps the most important patriarchal political theorist of the seventeenth century

Robert Filmer (Author), Johann P. Sommerville (Edited by)

9780521399036, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 February 1991

380 pages
21.3 x 13.7 x 2 cm, 0.43 kg

In seventeenth-century England, patriarchalist thinking shaped English ideas not only about the family but also about society and the state. Many thinkers argued that the state should be seen as a family, and that the king held the powers of a father over his subjects. The classic texts of patriarchal political thinking were written by Sir Robert Filmer (1588–1653), one of the most acute defenders of absolute monarchy. In addition to presenting his own patriarchalist theory, Filmer's works contain incisive attacks on democratic thinking and on the notion that political obligation stems from a contract between ruler and ruled. His political works are here edited from the original manuscript and printed sources, with an introduction which locates Filmer's ideas in their historical and ideological contexts. These texts - to which John Locke replied in his influential Two Treatises of Government - provide highly important documents for the understanding of political and social ideas at a decisive stage in the development of English attitudes.

Preface
Introduction
Principal events in Filmer's life
Bibliographical note
The authorship and dating of some works attributed to Filmer
A note on the text
Abbreviations and sources
1. Patriarcha
2. The free-holders grand inquest
3. The anarchy of a limited or mixed monarchy
4. The necessity of the absolute power of all kings
5. Observations concerning the originall of government, upon Mr Hobs 'Leviathan', Mr Milton against Salmasius, H. Grotius 'De Jure Belli'
6. Observations upon Aristotles politiques touching forms of government, together with directions for obedience to governours in dangerous and doubtfull times
Select biographical notes
Textual notes
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]