Social and Political Philosophy: Readings from Plato to Gandhi

by John Somerville, Ronald Santoni

An anthology of basic statements by the most influential social and political philosophers of Western civilization. Includes Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Jefferson, Thoreau, Mill, Marx and Engels, Lenin, Mussolini, Hitler, Dewey, and Gandhi.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics, History

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Romanticizing Life · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think for a school book, it had a good format. I love how it covers all of the different people in one book. I don't think this book really brought me any joy or knowledge id be likely to remember.
2/5 <3

[John Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My edition of this book was published in the 1960's. Later editions have been published, it seems, but I still doubt anyone is going to read this review because the collection is slightly outdated, ending at Gandhi. Other writings have been published since that could and no doubt should qualify for this type of collection; MLK or Malcolm X or Stephen Biko or Nelson Mandela, for instance. No matter, I do recommend THIS collection, so if you happen to be reading my review and you are looking for a collection on social and political philosophy, hear me: you will do well to pick up this collection.

Here's the reason. Readings that you may not encounter in other places are prominently included. Well selected portions of Hitler's Mein Kampf are included and a couple of Mussolini's writings are also included. Since Hitler is rightly written off as an evil quack, Mein Kampf is usually ignored in public academic settings, with the result that only crazy, misguided followers of Nazism read the work. Mussolini may be read as a leader of Fascism, but Hitler almost never. I think it is terribly important, however, to read and understand the arguments and ideas that drove one of the worst ideological systems and governments and society in history. Ignorance of it effectively propagates it. Another writing, Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" on the occasion of the U.S. Mexican War and including his opposition to slavery, is also included. The essay is almost certainly included in a great many collections, but probably not in many that also feature Aristotle. The diversity of this collection is truly praiseworthy.

Unfortunately the diversity is also somewhat frustrating. In actively trying to give equal say to a wide variety of thought, the editors have given unnecessary space to some writings and too limited space to others. I think it's silly to comment on whether or not certain people and writings should have been included or not and whether or not other writings should have been included (although the age of this collection, excluding more recent work, is upsetting). But what is included seems awkwardly balanced. Aristotle and Gandhi, the two book ends, are probably the prime examples. Aristotle's writing is by nature very precise and detailed in working up to conclusions. To limit him to the space of 40 pages, which the editors declare as their target for each author, is to guarantee a hardly understandable haphazard manner of reading. Aristotle's ideas are barely captured and his method not at all. On the other hand, Gandhi, as important as his theory of Satyagraha is, the theory can only be repeated so many times. Gandhi is no less valuable than any other author included here, indeed more valuable perhaps, but his ideas are grasped easily and do not require the arbitrary 40 pages.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book for the class I just finished, and since we did not get through the whole of it I figured I should finish it. It seemed silly not to. Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli I believe were the only ones I was previously familiar with, and Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Jefferson, and Mill were ones that I was certainly coming around to with my growing interest in the origin of 'American' thought. I am glad that the editors saw fit to include Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mussolini, and Hitler. Marx and Engels I was probably closer to getting around to, but the latter three I'm unsure when I would have got to them. The book was a great introduction to the various social and political thoughts by some of the biggest thinkers in our history. I did find that I was most excited at reading Mill and Dewey, and because of that they will probably be among the next books I read. Gandhi was also interesting. I don't suppose there is much more to say than I found this book worthwhile for its purpose, and it is certainly a step on the philosophical mountain that I climb.

[Colby Kleinsasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was dense as heck. Interesting but dense, maybe would give it a 2.5 just because it’s not light or the most enjoyable read.

A general note. I wish the editors provided some brief context about some of the authors within. Ex: who was Machiavelli, why did Plato write about Socrates - what was their relationship, etc.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've only read the selections of Plato, Aristotle, Marx and Engels, Mussolini, and Hitler for classes when I was in college but this anthology is a gem of social and political philosophy. I also admire the diverse selections the editors chose; I believe you must understand what you disagree with in order to better understand what you agree with.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is kind of like the political theory bible. it's got all the important [boring?] crap!