Mind and Politics: An Approach to the Meaning of Liberal and Socialist Individualism

By Ellen Meiksins Wood

Book Overview

Mind and Politics: An Approach to the Meaning of Liberal and Socialist Individualism explores the intricate relationship between epistemological theories and political ideologies, arguing that ideas about cognition and the mind profoundly shape social and political thought. Drawing from the philosophical traditions of Locke and Kant, the book examines how their theories of mind--Locke's empiricism and Kant's critical idealism--lay the groundwork for contrasting notions of individualism. Lockean empiricism, emphasizing the mind as receptive and shaped by external experience, aligns with liberal individualism, which prioritizes personal liberty and minimal state interference. Conversely, Kantian philosophy, with its active and self-determining conception of the mind, underpins a dialectical form of individualism that integrates individuality with sociality, reflecting a more collective, socialist vision.

The book navigates through historical and intellectual developments, illustrating how these differing frameworks manifest in political theories of liberty, community, and governance. Through a comparative analysis, it highlights the "metaphysical" rigidity of Lockean liberalism and contrasts it with the "dialectical" dynamism of the Kantian tradition, culminating in Marx's critique of liberalism and his vision of "human society." By addressing the philosophical underpinnings of these ideologies, the book offers a nuanced perspective on the enduring tension between individual autonomy and collective responsibility, advocating for a synthesis that remains faithful to the broader commitments of freedom and individuality. This work is essential for scholars of political theory and philosophy, providing a deeper understanding of how fundamental ideas about the mind shape the way we conceptualize society and its structures.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1972.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520332474
• ISBN13: 9780520332478
• Release Date: June 2021
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"