Abstract

A highly interesting selection of readings in political philosophy, drawing on specifically political thinkers as well as on recent work in sociology and psychology. Thus, there are selections from Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Bentham, Mill, Marx, and Engels, as well as from Weber, Riesman and Erikson. Wolff discusses the reasons for his selections in his introduction where he indicates the peculiar kind of relevance he believes empirical data to have for both "analytic" and "normative" political thought. An article by Wolff, entitled "An Analysis of the Concept of Political Loyalty" is included in the readings. The book itself has two main divisions: "The Individual and the State," and "The Individual and Society." Given the wealth of sources from which it draws, the highly interesting introductory material, the illuminating comments by Wolff preceding each selection, and his suggestions for further reading, Political and Social Man is a valuable book for all those concerned with the present status of political theory.—L. W.