Liberalism Before Liberalism

Author: Quentin Skinner
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This book is a speech given by Quentin Skinner, Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, upon his appointment as the Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University. It was published after being edited and revised. This book represents a world-class and highly significant academic contribution by the historian, where the author defends and develops the intrinsic nature, purpose, and goals of the study of intellectual history. In the book, the author explores the meaning of "freedom" by examining the discussions of 17th-century English thinkers on the topic. This understanding of "freedom" is entirely distinct from the concept of freedom proposed by Berlin, thus becoming a current new and highly influential viewpoint in academia and widely cited. At the same time, in this case study of intellectual history, the author further elucidates his understanding of the methodology of intellectual history research, further defending and deepening the theories and methods of the Cambridge School.