In Praise of Meekness: Essays on Ethnics and Politics

by Norberto Bobbio, Teresa Chataway

In this important volume, the leading political theorist and philosopher Norberto Bobbio confronts some of the most enduring moral questions of our time. Written over the last two decades of the twentieth century, the essays in this volume develop some of the central themes in Bobbio's moral and political philosophy. They also reflect his longstanding civil commitment to liberty, democracy, peace and equality. The opening essay, 'In praise of meekness', analyses the virtue of meekness in its individual and social aspects. It identifies the meek person with the nonviolent, and meekness with the refusal to exercise violence against anyone. Meekness, therefore, is a non-political virtue - it is the antithesis of politics. The volume also addresses the persistent classical problem of 'reason of state', as well as the more contemporary questions of tolerance and truth, racism, prejudice and ethics. The problem of evil in the modern world is also discussed. All the essays display the sensitivity and depth of understanding that characterize Bobbio's writings on current debates and historical controversies. The book will be invaluable reading for all students and scholars of politics, as well as those who are interested in the debates surrounding morals, ethics and law.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Norberto Bobbio was an Italian philosopher of law and political sciences and a historian of political thought. He also wrote regularly for the Turin-based daily La Stampa. Bobbio was a liberal socialist in the tradition of Piero Gobetti, Carlo Rosselli, Guido Calogero, and Aldo Capitini. He was also strongly influenced by Hans Kelsen and Vilfredo Pareto.

Reviews

[Andrea Samorini]

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FROM BOOK: Buio (Francesca Rigotti)

[Alfredo Scognamiglio]

Norberto Bobbio non è certo una scoperta, ma non avendo ancora letto questo suo famoso saggio ho apprezzato ancora una volta l'acume del grande personaggio che egli è stato. Un piccolo saggio sull'etica, la politica, laicità, religione e tanto altro.
Anche in questo caso non mi sono pentito :-).