Men and Thought in Modern History (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Men and Thought in Modern History

This book grew out of a practical need which the writer experienced for a series of short explanations of some typi cal modes of political thought illustrating what may be figured as the background of modern history. The method employed has been to take a leading thinker or statesman representing a distinct school or point of view, to expound the ideas which he taught or upon which he acted, and to connect with this biographical nucleus cognate systems of thought. For example, the study of Rousseau and the Rights of Man discusses the philosophy of political rights expounded by Rousseau, and connects it with the question of slavery. By the choice of typical examples an attempt has been made to illustrate the main currents of political and social thought in recent tinies. In each instance the aim has been to state the case fairly from the point of view of the thinker or statesman selected, and to indicate opposing views. The object is'to make diverse modes of thinking understood, not to advocate any particular one.

If the book professed to be either a comprehensive his tory of events or a complete exposition of political thought it would certainly fail to satisfy reasonable requirements in either direction. But it has a more modest purpose. It selects twenty-four men, each of whom is representative of some particular way of looking at things, and in consider ing their personality presents a critical view of their out look and philosophy.

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