Online research in philosophy

A look at political ethics covers cruelty, hypocrisy, snobbery, betrayal and misanthropy, and is accompanied by a description of modern public opinion about ...

Originally published in 1976, this book was written specifically to guide students of political theory who want to understand Hegel's political ideas as they ...

This book, first published in 1969 and now made available in paperback with a new foreword by the author, is widely regarded as one of the best studies of Rousseau's thought in any language. In it, Professor Shklar examines Rousseau's central concern: given that modern civilisation is intolerable and a return to the state of nature impossible, how is man to arrange his existence in society? Mrs Shklar emphasises the importance for Rousseau of psychological factors, and shows how, when mediated (...) through his images of authority and use of metaphor, they bring him to his notorious view that man is 'everywhere in chains'. In Mrs Shklar's view, Rousseau's final conclusion is almost equally pessimistic: the chances are very remote that we can overcome the psychological obstacles to become both men and citizens. (shrink)

Incisively and stylishly written, this book constitutes an open challenge to reconsider the fundamental question of the relationship of law to society.