What is History? And Other Essays

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This highly readable new collection of thirty pieces by Michael Oakeshott, almost all of which are previously unpublished, covers every decade of his intellectual career, and adds significantly to his contributions to the philosophy of historical understanding and political philosophy, as well as to the philosophy of education and aesthetics. The essays were intended mostly for lectures or seminars, and are consequently in an informal style that will be accessible to new readers as well as to those already well acquainted with Oakeshott's works. Early pieces include a long essay 'On the Relations of Philosophy, Poetry, and Reality’, and Oakeshott’s comments on ‘The Cambridge School of Political Science’ through which he himself had passed as an undergraduate. The collection also reproduces a substantial wartime essay ‘On Peace with Germany’. There are two new essays on the philosophy of education, and the essay which gives the work its title, ‘What is History?’, is just one of over half a dozen discussions of the nature of historical knowledge. Oakeshott’s later sceptical, ‘hermeneutic’, thought is also well represented by pieces such as ‘What is Political Theory?’ and ‘The Emergence of the History of Thought.’ Reviews of books by English and European contemporaries such as Butterfield, Hayek, Voegelin, and Arendt also help to place him in context more clearly than before. The book will be indispensable for all Oakeshott’s readers, no matter which area of his thought concerns them most.
Source: Times Higher Education Supplement

Credit: James Alexander

"Anyone concerned with the university or with the great traditions of thought Oakeshott inherited, adorned and bequeathed to us should read this volume of essays."

Source: Political Studies Review

Credit: Matthew Britnell

"Luke O'Sullivan is to be congratulated for assembling this highly readable volume."

Source: Spectator

Credit: Jonathan Sumption

"Essays which are masterpieces of their kind, from a subtle, unconventional thinker whose insights deserve a wider audience."

Source: Quadrant

Credit: Peter Coleman

"These neglected essays revive some fine flourishes of Oakeshottiana."

Source: Appraisal

Credit: R.J. Brownhill

"A treasure house for Oakeshottian enthusiasts and also a brilliant taster for newcomers to a philosopher of major importance in twentieth century philosophical thought."

Source: History of Political Thought

Credit: David Boucher

"Luke O'Sullivan is a careful and well respected scholar of Oakeshott’s work and has painstakingly selected from the unpublished manuscripts a veritable feast of discussions of widely different subject matter."
Hardcover
- Publication Date: 05 February 2004
- ISBN-13: 9780907845836
- Extent: Main content page count : 480
- Code: 907845835
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 21 x 3 cm
- Weight: 1000 grams
- List Price: £30.00
- ONIX Version 2.1, Version 3

Details

Title: What is History? And Other Essays
Subtitle: Selected Writings
Edited by: Luke O'Sullivan
Author: Michael Oakeshott
Collection: Michael Oakeshott Selected Writings
Language: English
Publisher: Imprint Academic
Imprint: Imprint Academic

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