The Perfectibility of Man [Hardcover]

John Passmore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

Modern Political Philosophy

Editorial Reviews

Review

Passmore's brilliant exposition of the implications of perfectibility on individual liberty and responsibility is now available with a new preface by Passmore himself. A reviewer of the original 1970 edition well summarizes the scope and significance of this renowned work by one of the leading philosophers of the twentieth century: "Beginning with an analytic discussion of the various ways in which perfectibility has been interpreted, Professor Passmore traces its long history from the Greeks to the present day...both in its broad sweep and countless supporting reflections, it is a journey through spiritual scenery of the most majestic and exhilarating kind."

About the Author

John Passmore served for many years as a Professor of Philosophy at Australian National University.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Scribner's; 3rd edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865972575
• ISBN-13: 978-0865972575
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,087,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey In Ideas, February 4, 2001

By 

Steve Jackson "stevejackson100atyahoocom" (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfectibility of Man (Hardcover)

You might no think it, but the concept of the perfectibility of man has been widely held by philosophers. Of course, what they meant by perfectibility hasn't always been the same. This topic is the subject of the very enjoyable work by John Passmore. He discusses the attitude of philosophers and theologians from antiquity to the present, as well as touching on writers such as Orwell, Shaw and Zamiatin. Needless to say, many have opposed human perfectibility and Passmore devotes sections of the work to opponents such as Augustine, Luther and Calvin. For example, Calvin writes: "He who comes nearest to perfection has not yet advanced half-way." [p. 162.]

This book is lengthy, but you can use it as a reference work on thinkers. For example, there is a fascinating discussion of Teilhard de Chardin, who as Passmore points out, combines almost all the diverse themes found in perfectabilist literature. [p. 410.] Even many who have read a fair amount about Teilhard might be surprised to see his almost grudging support for totalitarian regimes of Europe in the 40s.