A mecânica do orgulho: glória e poder na filosofia de Thomas Hobbes

Abstract

When conceiving joy as the acknowledgment of one's own superiority through the articulation of the passion called glory, Hobbes outlines a psychology in which individuals, as free beings, are described as insatiable machines engaged in a constant pursuit of power and reputation. For the author, since humans are dissatisfied with signs of contempt and eager for recognition, their general inclination leads them to experience an intense conflict of egos, whose only viable solution lies in the construction of a power capable of suppressing their pride. The Leviathan, therefore, as both a state and a manifestation of such power, is constituted, as described in the Book of Job, as the “king over all the children of pride,” assuming the role of restraining the unbridled desire that drives men toward self-destruction. It is, therefore, due to the significance of glory in Hobbesian thought that this dissertation aims to conduct an exegetical analysis of this passion, examining its definition, systematization, and particularly the evolution of this concept throughout the author's intellectual trajectory. To this end, drawing on Hobbes's main works and engaging with secondary literature, this research investigates both the mechanics of the philosophical psychology developed by Hobbes, based on the structural role of glory in his political theory, and the implications arising from the transformation of this passion following the publication of Leviathan. By offering a deeper interpretation of Hobbes's thought, we argue for the often-overlooked relevance of the desire for recognition within the entirety of his system and propose that the evolution of the concept of glory actually represents a notable maturation of his ideas. This progression, in turn, enables Hobbes to acknowledge and integrate a greater complexity of human passions into his philosophy, as he begins to distinguish between a political and a psychological perspective.