Convictions

by Sidney Hook

Challenges liberals and conservatives alike, as Hook pierces to the heart of momentous human rights, racial equality, cultural freedom, and the separation of ethical behavior from religious belief.

310 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Sidney Hook was an American pragmatic philosopher known for his contributions to public debates. A student of John Dewey, Hook continued to examine the philosophy of history, of education, politics, and of ethics. He was known for his criticisms of totalitarianism (fascism and Marxism–Leninism). A pragmatic social democrat, Hook sometimes cooperated with conservatives, particularly in opposing communism. After WWII, he argued that members of conspiracies, like the Communist Party USA and other Leninist conspiracies, ethically could be barred from holding offices of public trust.