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Quotation from Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

“For seeing life is but a motion of Limbs, the begining whereof is in some principall part within; why may we not say, that all Automata (Engines that move themselves by springs and wheeles as doth a watch) have an artificiall life”

Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan, Introduction (1651 text (original spelling))

Portrait of Thomas Hobbes

The mechanical analogy that underlies Hobbes's psychology and his image of the state as an artificial man.

Citation: "For seeing life is but a motion of Limbs, the begining whereof is in some principall part within; why may we not say, that all Automata (Engines that move themselves by springs and wheeles as doth a watch) have an artificiall life" — Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Introduction (1651 text (original spelling)). (id leviathan-q1)

Portrait: Thomas Hobbes (copy after an original of c.1669–1670), John Michael Wright, Public domain.

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Quote card: For seeing life is but a motion of Limbs, the begining whereof is in some princi