R. G. Collingwood: An Autobiography and other writings: with essays on Collingwood's life and work - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198801203 ISBN 13: 9780198801207

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2017

Synopsis

This volume presents a many-faceted view of the Oxford philosopher R. G. Collingwood. At its centre is his Autobiography, published in 1939, which has the status of a cult classic for its compelling 'story of his thought'. Collingwood's work has enjoyed renewed attention in recent years, with new editions of his great philosophical works. This volume republishes the Autobiography alongside a previously unpublished account by Collingwood of a journey to the East Indies in 1938-1939. These writings are accompanied by eleven specially written essays. Several of these examine aspects of Collingwood's life―not just the Autobiography, but what he doesn't discuss in that work, from his childhood to his professorship at Oxford. And the essays also examine aspects of his work on philosophy, politics, history, and archaeology, in the context of his life.

About this title

Review:

[G]uaranteed to get the reader on his or her toes . . . this volume is invaluable for Collingwoodian scholarship (Collingwood and British Idealism Studies)

A polymath as skilled in archaeology as he was in philosophy, a staunch opponent of appeasement and an early hater of the Daily Mail. Collingwood has been my guide for many years. (Niall Ferguson, Civilization)

Before I read this book there was chaos in my thoughts regarding my subject matter: having finished it, I knew perfectly well what I was going to argue for. My deepest gratitude is due to this unjustly neglected author. (Agnes Heller, A theory of History, Viii)

The new edition includes a facsimile of the first printing . . . followed by various maps and illustrations, and a mass of supplementary essays. (Jonathan Rée, London Review of Books)

Collingwood's remark helps us to look for the answers different writers give to their (not our) questions. To this end we must try to think ourselves into each writer's scheme of thought. (John Rawls, Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy)

If these scholars have anything methodologically in common, it might be summarised as a desire to stress the historicity of the history of political theory and of intellectual history more generally. Collingwood himself expressed this commitment by demanding that we should aim to recover the precise questions to which the philosophical texts we study were designed as answers. (Quentin Skinner, The History of Political Thought in National Context)

a fascinating and often brilliant book. (Bernard Williams, The Sense of the Past)

About the Author:

David Boucher is Professor in Political Philosophy and International Relations, Cardiff University, and Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Johannesburg. He is also Vice President of the Learned Society of Wales. His most recent books are The Limits of Ethics in International Relations (Oxford University Press, 2009) and British Idealism: A Guide for the Perplexed (with Andrew Vincent, Continuum, 2011). Teresa Smith is R. G. Collingwood's daughter by his second wife, Kate Collingwood. From the late 1960s she worked as a university lecturer in the Department of Social and Administrative Studies at Oxford, and was head of the Oxford Department of Social Policy and Social Work for ten years and fellow of St Hilda's College. She advised the House of Commons Select Committee for Education on early education during the Labour administration. Her publications include 'From educational priority areas to area-based interventions: community, neighbourhood and preschool', in Edwards, R ed. Researching families and communities: social and generational change (Routledge, 2008); 'Whatever happened to EPAs? Part 2: Educational Priority Areas forty years on', Forum, (2007, with Smith G, and Smith, Tom); and Smith, T. et al. The Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative National Evaluation: Final Integrated Report. London: Sure Start / DfES; Smith GAN and Smith T. (2006).

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0198801203
• ISBN 13: 9780198801207
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 648
• Editor: Boucher David, Smith Teresa