Mission

The International Hobbes Association (IHA) aims at promoting research and discussion of philosophical, political, historical, literary, and scientific matters related to Thomas Hobbes's thought. The IHA encourages the comparison of Hobbes’s views to those of other important thinkers from the beginning of the modern state and the rise of science to the present. The IHA encourages the application of Hobbes’s thought to contemporary issues that can be informed by his thinking.

IHA History

The IHA has functioned as an academic society since 1988. The IHA has sponsored numerous conferences and sessions at the World Congress of Philosophy and at the APA.

IHA Administration

  1. IHA activities will be administered by its Sovereign (Presiding Officer) and/or an Executive Board. The Sovereign and the Executive Board are authorized to act in advancing the IHA mission. The Sovereign and the Executive Board shall oversee the management of all IHA activities including meetings, publications, affiliations, and fiscal stability. The Sovereign and the Executive Board shall determine whether and how to maintain records and whether and how to collect membership dues.
  2. When the IHA has no Sovereign, the Executive Board of Officers is authorized to act in advancing the IHA mission. Without a Sovereign in place, the Executive Board of Officers shall operate as a democracy and follow majority rule. A majority of the Executive Board of Officers may at any time authorize a new Sovereign.
  3. The Executive Board of Officers shall be comprised of five to nine members. Executive Board members should all be actively engaged in Hobbes scholarship and committed to the IHA mission. Future members of the Executive Board shall be appointed to the position by members of the current board. They shall serve for a term of six years, renewable, or until they resign their position.

Program Committee

A Chair of the Program Committee will be appointed by the IHA Sovereign and the Executive Board. The Program Chair shall implement programs as authorized by the Sovereign and the Executive Board with their input and collaboration.

Hobbes Studies

Since 1988 the IHA has been associated with the journal, Hobbes Studies.  Martin A. Bertman served as Editor-in-Chief of Hobbes Studies from 1988 until his death in July 2012. Juhana Lemetti of the University of Helsinki has served as the Associate Editor of Hobbes Studies for the past six years. He is now Acting Editor-in-Chief. Hobbes Studies is an international peer reviewed scholarly journal that welcomes submissions related to any aspect of Hobbes’s work. The journal editors shall consult with the IHA Sovereign and the Executive Board. The Sovereign and a majority of the Executive Board of Officers shall determine who shall be an Editor what should be their term of appointment.

Activities

The IHA will continue to support the journal Hobbes Studies. The IHA will from time to time sponsor international conferences and sessions at international meetings on Hobbes and Hobbes scholarship as determined by the Executive Board. The IHA-sponsored sessions held in conjunction with APA meetings will encourage Hobbes scholarship. Sessions will welcome presentations by junior faculty and graduate students as well as contributions by senior scholars. Calls for papers will be circulated to a list of members and through the APA. Submission will be open to all.

Membership

Membership in the society is open to all of those who are interested in Hobbes’s work and express an interest in joining the IHA and subscribing to its mailing list. Membership in the society will not be restricted or discriminatory. The IHA Executive Board shall maintain a list of members and their email addresses.