Abstract

Herder's thought is presented as well advanced beyond his times, if often disorganized and confused. To contrast his ideas with those of more traditional eighteenth century political thought, the latter is described in terms of the mechanical models it embodies, while the organic and teleological categories of the former are stressed in discussing his answers to the questions of one and many, causation, motion, and power in their political contexts. As much attention is given to Herder's philosophies of history and education as to his social and political thought in the usual sense, and the subtitle is distinctly misleading, since Herder's views on nationalism, involving the basic themes of self-determination and Volksgeist, are only one of many areas of thought presented to the reader. The book is lacking in any apparent embodiment of the organic unity which is one of its themes. A rather extensive bibliography is included.—M. W.