Like John Dewey, his mentor and friend, Sidney Hook shares the classic conception of philosophy as the pursuit of wisdom. A philosopher is concerned ultimately with the conception of the good life in a good society.In these essays extending over many years, Hook illustrates the activity of the philosopher in the cave of social life. He brings to bear the tools of reflective analysis on dominant social and political issues: human rights; the role of personality and leadership in history; the attempt to defend freedom as we seek to preserve and extend the welfare state; and a criticism of the common premise of historical materialism shared by both Marxists and their opponents.Most significantly, Hook addresses the relation between morality and religion and the place of religion in democratic society. A secular and naturalistic humanism, he contends, generates an authentic, reliable commitment to the" "democratic faith."
- ISBN10 0809309378
- ISBN13 9780809309375
- Publish Date 1 March 1980
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 16 January 2009
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Southern Illinois University Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 288
- Language English