Hobbes: advocate of political education

Abstract

Based on researches conducted over more than a decade, this paper aims to present education as a key component of the State idealized by Thomas Hobbes. Divided on four sections, the article advocates that education has a role as much important as force(sword) on the Hobbesian political philosophy. Furthermore, it demonstrates the eminently political character of the minimum content to be taught to citizens and argues against the interpretation that Hobbes's education aims to manipulate citizens for the sake of blind obedience. On its final remarks, the paper raises questions, advocating that Hobbesian ideas can be useful for analyzing problems relevant to our time and context.