The Perfectability of a Man

By John Arthur Passmore

Book Overview

A reviewer of the original edition in 1970 of The Perfectibility of Man 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, by way of Christianity, orthodox and heterodox, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, anarchism, utopias, communism, psychoanalysis, and evolutionary theories of man and society. Both in its broad sweep and in countless supporting reflections, it is a journey through spiritual scenery of the most majestic and exhilarating kind." Thoroughly and elegantly, Passmore explores the history of the idea of perfectibility--manifest in the ideology of perfectibilism--and its consequences, which have invariably been catastrophic for individual liberty and responsibility in private, social, economic, and political life.

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

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865972583
• ISBN13: 9780865972582
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Liberty Fund
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.9" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 18 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Postsecondary to Grade 5

Customer Reviews

A Journey In Ideas

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.