Power, Politics and Leviathan: Stan Grant in Conversation with Simon Marnie

About

With Simon Marnie as host, Stan Grant will share his perspectives on the ideas and enduring influence of one of the most important works of modern political philosophy, Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan. Together, they will explore Hobbes’ provocative ideas on power, government, science, faith, morality and human nature, examining how this book continues to shape contemporary conversations about democracy, society and the world we live in today.

Leviathan is Hobbes’ most famous work. The leviathan of the title is the ‘absolute sovereign’ who controls all civil, military, judicial and ecclesiastical powers. The central argument of the book is that a strong government or ‘absolute sovereign’ must have authority over the individual in order to avoid the evils of civil war. This led to the introduction of ‘social contract theory’.

Written and published during a period of great upheaval - the English Civil Wars, the execution of Charles I, the establishment of the Commonwealth of England and the rise of Oliver Cromwell - Leviathan received a hostile reception. Leviathan was censured in Parliament in 1666 and Hobbes was banned from publishing any future works in England.

A first edition copy of the book held in the historic collections of the Parliament of NSW library, will be on display for the event.

Date: Tuesday, 13th October 2026

Discussion / Q&A: 6:30pm to 7:45pm

Location: Theatrette (Level 6 ), NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000