"In this book, Stephen J. Finn argues that, contrary to the traditional interpretation, Hobbes's political views influence his theoretical and natural philosophy and not the other way about. Most Hobbes scholars consider him to be a natural philosopher who applied his theoretical views to politics; finn shows that it is more accurate to interpret Hobbes as a political advocate whose political views influenced his philosophical thinking. Such an interpretation, it is argued, provides a better appreciation of Hobbes's writings, both philosophical and political."--BOOK JACKET.