Dedication I would like to dedicate this thesis to my wife, who has inspired me, supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me like no other. Abstract There are two trends in recent Hobbesian scholarship: one which identifies the development of Hobbes" political philosophy in order to derive a greater appreciation for his overall goals in his masterwork, Leviathan, and another which seeks to bring the religious Parts III and IV of Leviathan into the context of the main goals of the overall work.