On Hunting

by Roger Scruton

The feelings stirred by hunting are explored here by writer and philosopher Roger Scruton. Drawing on his own experiences and offering a portrait of the people and animals who take part in hunting, Scruton introduces the reader to some of the mysteries of country life.

Genres: Philosophy, Cultural, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Biography, Nature

161 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sir Roger Scruton was a writer and philosopher who has published more than forty books in philosophy, aesthetics and politics. He was a fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He taught in both England and America and was a Visiting Professor at Department of Philosophy and Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, he was also a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington D.C.

In 2015 he published two books, The Disappeared and later in the autumn, Fools Frauds and Firebrands. Fools Frauds and Firebrands is an update of Thinkers of the New Left published, to widespread outrage, in 1986. It includes new chapters covering Lacan, Deleuze and Badiou and some timely thoughts about the historians and social thinkers who led British intellectuals up the garden path during the last decades, including Eric Hobsbawm and Ralph Miliband.

In 2016 he again published two books, Confessions of A Heretic (a collection of essays) and The Ring of Truth, about Wagner’s Ring cycle, which was widely and favourably reviewed. In 2017 he published On Human Nature (Princeton University Press), which was again widely reviewed, and contains a distillation of his philosophy. He also published a response to Brexit, Where We Are (Bloomsbury).

Reviews

[Paulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this short book expecting a generic philosophical argument about hunting, a little brain teaser, but I got much more. Roger Scruton presents a delightful overview of English rural life and offers a passionate defence of his worldview in general and of fox hunting in particular. His loving narrative of his personal experience as a hunter in rural England speaks to the heart in a way that most scholarly writing does not.

Scruton also posits that traditionalist worldviews like those of his hunting confrères are passionately held by many, will continue to impact Britain and the world, and deserve respect. Towards the end of the book, Scruton deftly contrasts the world where he found happiness and contentment with antipodal events such as violent protesters pelting a master of hounds, his dealings with eurocrats in Brussels, and his experience of life behind the Iron Curtain.

Whether or not you agree with his take on fox hunting or his politics, Scruton's book delivers and important message that is highly relevant to our present and future and needs to be heard.

[Russell James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extended essay on a deliberately provocative topic made, as one would expect from Scruton, strongly and without evasion. The first two chapters, 'Beginnings' and 'Apologia' are magnificent (and persuasive) though the rest, while still being good, insist upon rather than make the case. Whatever your views on hunting, and especially if you're against, you should read this to help you understand.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scruton would definitely have eaten some "Blair resignation jam." :)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about so much more than hunting.
Here's my review:
http://amandaaction.com/2013/02/24/re...

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is largely autobiographical and is a total delight. Already a politically incorrect subject, Sir Roger throws in an anecdote about Enoch Powell to really get the bedwetters frothing at the mouth. He also makes some jokes about Heidegger, which even a non-philosopher like me could chuckle at. He was such a warm soul and it's such a shame he's gone - but at least we can still read his books.
PS - you can buy them direct from his wife Sophie. She has copies of everything that she sells at RRP, whilst most are in limited supply on Amazon and therefore advertised at grossly inflated prices. Pay less AND ensure all the profits go to the Scruton family.

[William Collen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is dense with feeling; perhaps, of all the philosophy books out there, it is the one written with the most love for its subject. Scruton thoroughly enjoys what he is writing about, and his enthusiasm carries over into the text. His conclusion - that hunting foxes with hounds, and following on horseback, is a very morally right thing to do - sounds implausible but he makes a very convincing argument.

[Drew Witte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well written but (ironically for a memoir) lacks much self-reflection. As someone who’s been somewhat in his position, it’s clear he’s much more like the New Britons he keeps sniping at than his hunting companions

[William Audis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly first-rate; must read more Scruton.

[Leyla Hunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful philosophy behind hunting for leisure from a moral, anthropological and cultural standpoint.

[Rachel]

There is something delightful in reading a book that takes us on a journey of philosophical and lived experience to understanding the English fox hunt. Yet, this little book is more than just about hunting.

[Jonathan]

None

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a lot more than hunting. It's about conservatism, the countryside and culture.

[Katie Marquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely perfect.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and thoughful

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasantly thought provoking book of meditations on hunting, conservation, and conservatism.