Liberty and Community

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-IX

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2. Introduction

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 1-11

3. Perspectives on the Study of Man

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 12-31

4. The Free and Social Self

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 32-47

5. The Political Community

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 48-68

6. Individual Rights and Community Responsibilities

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 69-93

7. Liberty and Community in International Relations

   • Robert Byron Thigpen

   Pages 94-107

8. Back Matter

   Pages 108-121

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This study of the political philosophy of William Ernest Hocking be­ gan as a doctoral dissertation at Tulane University. Hocking (1873- 1966) was for many years Alford Professor of Natural Religion, Moral Philosophy, and Civil Polity at Harvard University. Although he is relatively well-known among American philosophers, particularly by students of metaphysics and the philosophy of religion, very little atten­ tion has been given to his political philosophy. Some general studies of his thought summarize his political writings in a very cursory fashion, but they do not discuss his contributions in detail or relate them to significant issues in political philosophy. Most important general works on modern political philosophy or American political thought do not even mention Hocking; a few note his name in passing. Because he is almost completely unknown in the social sciences, the original purpose of this study was to explore, systematize, and present his extensive writings in political philosophy. It then became apparent that his entire political philosophy is oriented around the concepts of liberty and community. When his thought is analyzed in terms of these themes, its unity and coherence are more obvious. Moreover, his writings become more significant when they are related to liberty and community, for these are focal concepts for important problems in modern political philosophy. This study of Hocking's political philosophy will, it is hoped, help us to see how liberty and community can be more understandable, attainable, and compatible with one another.

• Moral
• Nation
• Passing
• Political Thought
• ethics
• liberty
• moral philosophy
• morality
• philosophy
• political participation
• political philosophy
• religion

• Louisiana State University in New Orleans, USA

  Robert Byron Thigpen

Policies and ethics