A “History of Ideas with Organic Unity” and Hobbesian Modernity

Abstract

Hiroshi Mizuta began his translation of Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan in 1945, and the project, comprising four volumes published in the Iwanami Library, was completed in 1992. This monumental task spanned nearly half a century. Mizuta’s translation is noted for its literal accuracy and fidelity to the original text. This precision in translation is inherently linked to an accurate interpretation of the source material, which is to be expected. However, what sets Mizuta’s translation apart is its distinct interpretation of Hobbes within the history of ideas. Mizuta’s reading, which emphasizes Hobbes’ modernity in terms of secularization and the establishment of the individual’s right to self-preservation, continues to have a significant impact beyond what researchers might have anticipated. This essay critically assesses Mizuta’s interpretations within the context of contemporary Hobbesian scholarship and examines the main concepts of Hobbes’ theory, particularly the state of nature and the notion of modernity, and discusses the significance and potential issues of Mizuta’s interpretation.