Abstract

Anthony Quinton's first substantial collection of writings for many years--a series of lectures, essays and reviews--addresses some of the central political, philosophical and religious issues of our day. The book is divided in four sections. The first considers large political and social questions, culminating in the question of modern ethics. The second applies ideas to specific social and educational concerns, including "The Idea of a Library: Newman's and Others," and "The Idea of a National Library." The third part takes a historical and thematic line to consider Imperialism, property, madness and homosexuality from the perspectives previously established. The final section, which begins with his essay on "The Inner Life," considers the claims of the imagination and the limits of subjectivity in the arts and the lives of artists and philosophers. It is here that we get the wry juxtaposition of Wodehouse and Wittgenstein.