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Ideology and Social Science

Destutt de Tracy and French Liberalism

  • Book
  • © 1985

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Authors:
  1. Brian William Head
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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-VII
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  2. Political and Intellectual Background

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 1-24

  3. Scientific Method and Ideology

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 25-44

  4. Signs, Language, and the Critique of Metaphysics

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 45-66

  5. Individuals and Social Relations

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 67-91

  6. Social Morality and Civil Society

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 93-107

  7. Social Science and Public Policy

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 109-127

  8. Production and Economic Classes

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 129-148

  9. The Problem of Economic Inequality

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 149-162

  10. Liberal Politics and Elitism

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 163-185

  11. Public Instruction and Ideology

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 187-204

  12. Conclusion: Social Science and Liberalism

    • Brian William Head
    Pages 205-208

  13. Back Matter

    Pages 211-229
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Keywords

About this book

This book attempts to present a detailed and critical account of the thought of Antoine-Louis-Claude Destutt de Tracy (1754-1836). Major importance has been placed on the analysis of his published writings. Biographical details have been provided only to the extent necessary to elucidate the circumstances of the composition and publication of his writings: in particular, the intellectual and political currents in France during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The book has three main themes. The first is Tracy's philosophy of ideologie, which was concerned to clarify concepts and provide guarantees of reliable knowledge. The second is Tracy's attempt to elaborate a science of social organisation, la science sociale, whose objective was to recommend institutions and policies which could maximise social happiness. The third theme is Tracy's development of liberal and utilitarian approaches to the fields of politics, economics and education. This study began life as a doctoral dissertation at the London School of Economics and Political Science. I am grateful for the guidance of my supervisor, Professor Ken Minogue, and for helpful comments from Professor Maurice Cranston, Professor Jack Lively, and Dr John Hooper.

Reviews

`This is an extremely methodological, careful, and thorough piece of research and writing that should be certainly read by anyone interested in the subject.'
Journal of Modern History, 59:4 (1987)

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