ISBN: 9780865971950 - letwin, s: pursuit of certainty: david hume, jeremy bentham, john stuart mill, beatrice webb (35 Ergebnisse)

ISBN: 
Mit der Detailsuche verfeinern

Optimieren Sie Ihre Suche

  • Bücher (35)

bis

Benutzerdefinierte Preisspanne (EUR)

bis

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, USAWorld of Books (was SecondSale)

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Gut

    EUR 9,55

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: Very Good. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life." Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Shakespeare Book House, Rockford, IL, USAShakespeare Book House

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Befriedigend

    EUR 5,82

    EUR 3,62 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Zustand: good. Used book that is clean, average condition without any missing pages.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, Incorporated, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, USABetter World Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Befriedigend

    EUR 10,46

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Zustand: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, USAWorld of Books Inc

    Verkäufer/-in mit 4 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Gut

    EUR 11,41

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: Very Good. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life." Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Powell's Bookstores Chicago, ABAA, Chicago, IL, USAPowell's Bookstores Chicago, ABAA

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Verbandsmitglied: ABAAILAB

    Zustand: Gebraucht

    EUR 9,82

    EUR 4,54 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: Used-Very Good. Some shelf-wear. Else clean copy.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, USAGreatBookPrices

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 13,78

    EUR 2,40 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 15 verfügbar

    Zustand: New.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund 10/1/1998, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: BargainBookStores, Grand Rapids, MI, USABargainBookStores

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 16,26

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 5 verfügbar

    Paperback or Softback. Zustand: New. The Pursuit of Certainty: David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Beatrice Webb. Book.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, USAGreatBookPrices

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Wie neu

    EUR 14,21

    EUR 2,40 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 15 verfügbar

    Zustand: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: INDOO, Avenel, NJ, USAINDOO

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Wie neu

    EUR 16,69

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 10 verfügbar

    Zustand: As New. Unread copy in mint condition.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: INDOO, Avenel, NJ, USAINDOO

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 16,78

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 10 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. Brand New.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, Indianapolis, IN, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, USAGrand Eagle Retail

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 19,58

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: new. Paperback. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life."Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, this text provides a record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is". Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc., 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover
    • Erstausgabe

    Anbieter: FSS Books, New York, NY, USAFSS Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Wie neu

    EUR 14,02

    EUR 5,40 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Soft cover. Zustand: As New. 1st Edition. First edition, first printing (full number line) of this soft cover. Text is clean and unmarked, binding tight, no indications of previous ownership.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: California Books, Miami, FL, USACalifornia Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 16,82

    EUR 2,72 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 8 verfügbar

    Zustand: New.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund:, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: PASCALE'S BOOKS, NORTH READING, MA, USAPASCALE'S BOOKS

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Sehr gut

    EUR 14,95

    EUR 4,99 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 1 verfügbar

    Soft Cover. Zustand: Fine. 434 pages. "How the conception of politics changed in England can be traed through the lives and work of four writers- David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Beatrice Webb. Each represents a distinctive way of looking at politics, which intertwined with others and obscured in political practice, and yet remains a vital part of the political traditionin England." FIINE SOFTCOVER. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, US, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Rarewaves USA, HEBRON, KY, USARarewaves USA

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 20,64

     Versand gratis 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 5 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: New. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life." Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, US, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, Vereinigtes KönigreichRarewaves.com USA

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 21,59

     Versand gratis 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 4 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: New. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life." Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, Vereinigtes KönigreichPBShop.store UK

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 14,58

    EUR 7,04 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 8 verfügbar

    PAP. Zustand: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, Incorporated, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Majestic Books, Hounslow, Vereinigtes KönigreichMajestic Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 4 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 17,49

    EUR 7,79 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 3 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. pp. 454.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Galway, GY, IrlandKennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd.

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 15,30

    EUR 9,50 Versand 
    Versand von Irland nach USA

    Anzahl: 2 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. Num Pages: 454 pages, frontispiece. BIC Classification: HPS. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 225 x 151 x 30. Weight in Grams: 742. . 1998. Paperback. . . . .

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: - -, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Chiron Media, Wallingford, Vereinigtes KönigreichChiron Media

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 19,50

    EUR 7,78 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 8 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: New. Brand new book, sourced directly from publisher. Dispatch time is 7-8 days from our warehouse. Book will be sent in robust, secure packaging to ensure it reaches you securely.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, USAKennys Bookstore

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 18,74

    EUR 9,53 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 2 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. Num Pages: 454 pages, frontispiece. BIC Classification: HPS. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 225 x 151 x 30. Weight in Grams: 742. . 1998. Paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Russell Books, Victoria, BC, KanadaRussell Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 14,24

    EUR 18,14 Versand 
    Versand von Kanada nach USA

    Anzahl: 8 verfügbar

    paperback. Zustand: New. Special order direct from the distributor.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, Vereinigtes KönigreichGreatBookPricesUK

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 13,81

    EUR 17,98 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 6 verfügbar

    Zustand: New.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, Vereinigtes KönigreichGreatBookPricesUK

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Gebraucht - Wie neu

    EUR 16,02

    EUR 17,98 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 6 verfügbar

    Zustand: As New. Unread book in perfect condition.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, Incorporated, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Biblios, frankfurt am main, HESSE, DeutschlandBiblios

    Verkäufer/-in mit 4 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 25,83

    EUR 9,95 Versand 
    Versand von Deutschland nach USA

    Anzahl: 3 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. pp. 454.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, Southport, Vereinigtes KönigreichTHE SAINT BOOKSTORE

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 13,82

    EUR 22,59 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 8 verfügbar

    Paperback / softback. Zustand: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, Incorporated, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Books Puddle, Woodside, NY, USABooks Puddle

    Verkäufer/-in mit 4 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 35,64

    EUR 3,62 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 3 verfügbar

    Zustand: New. pp. 454.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Revaluation Books, Exeter, Vereinigtes KönigreichRevaluation Books

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 24,97

    EUR 14,99 Versand 
    Versand von Vereinigtes Königreich nach USA

    Anzahl: 2 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: Brand New. 434 pages. 9.00x6.25x1.50 inches. In Stock.

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Okt 1998, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, DeutschlandAHA-BUCH GmbH

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 26,25

    EUR 35,00 Versand 
    Versand von Deutschland nach USA

    Anzahl: 2 verfügbar

    Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in The Pursuit of Certainty provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of 'what sort of activity politics is.' As Letwin writes, 'the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less.' Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or 'new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty' but, Letwin believes, because of the 'profoundly personal reflection' of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to 'reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not.' By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to 'equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life.' Thus did the 'pursuit of certainty' displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature-hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, 'Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life' in quest of philosophical 'certainty' and social perfection. The Liberty Fund edition is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965. Shirley Robin Letwin (1924-1993) was a Professor of Political and Legal Philosophy at Harvard, Cambridge, and the London School of Economics.…

  • Sprache: Englisch

    Verlag: Liberty Fund Inc, US, 1998

    0865971951 / 9780865971950

    • Softcover

    Anbieter: Rarewaves USA United, HEBRON, KY, USARarewaves USA United

    Verkäufer/-in mit 5 Sternen
    Verkäufer/-in kontaktieren

    Zustand: Neu

    EUR 21,34

    EUR 45,37 Versand 
    Versand innerhalb von USA

    Anzahl: 5 verfügbar

    Paperback. Zustand: New. By examining the thought of four seminal thinkers, Shirley Robin Letwin in "The Pursuit of Certainty" provides a brilliant record of the gradual change in the English-speaking peoples' understanding of "what sort of activity politics is." As Letwin writes, "the distinctive political issue since the eighteenth century has been whether government should do more or less." Nor, as many historians argue, did this issue arise because of the Industrial Revolution or "new social conditions [that] aggravated the problem of poverty" but, Letwin believes, because of the "profoundly personal reflection" of major thinkers, including Hume, Bentham, Mill, and Webb. David Hume, for example, believed that to "reach for perfection, to seek an ideal, is noble, but dangerous, and is therefore an activity that individuals or voluntary groups may pursue, but governments certainly should not." By the end of the nineteenth century, as Letwin observes, Beatrice Webb came to "equate the triumph of reason over passion with the rule of science over human life." Thus did the "pursuit of certainty" displace the traditional English understanding of the limitations of human nature -- hence the necessity of limits to governmental power and programs. Consequently, in our time, "Politics was no longer one of several human activities and at that not a very noble one; it encompassed all of human life" in quest of philosophical "certainty" and social perfection. This is a reprint of the original work published by Oxford in 1965.…