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Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of FreedomC.B. Macpherson, George Grant, and Charles Taylor |
eBook Available
An intriguing work that considers the shared tradition of Canadian political philosophy.
Twentieth-century Canada fostered a range of great minds, but the country's diversity and wide range of academic fields have led to their ideas being portrayed as the work of isolated thinkers. Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom contests this assumption by linking the works of C.B. Macpherson, George Grant, and Charles Taylor to demonstrate the presence of a Canadian intellectual tradition.
While these three philosophers are very different in temperament and outlook, Robert Meynell reveals the shared subtexts of their political philosophy. He not only enriches our understanding of these three central figures but reconstitutes and rehabilitates the tradition of Hegelian ideas and influence in Canadian thought and shows how this tradition has helped shape some of the dominant assumptions behind the Canadian outlook and identity.
An important work of political philosophy and the history of ideas, Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom uncovers and explores a long-overlooked thread that stitches Canadian thought together.
While these three philosophers are very different in temperament and outlook, Robert Meynell reveals the shared subtexts of their political philosophy. He not only enriches our understanding of these three central figures but reconstitutes and rehabilitates the tradition of Hegelian ideas and influence in Canadian thought and shows how this tradition has helped shape some of the dominant assumptions behind the Canadian outlook and identity.
An important work of political philosophy and the history of ideas, Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom uncovers and explores a long-overlooked thread that stitches Canadian thought together.
Details
320 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773537996
May 2011
Formats: Paperback, eBook
"Regardless of one's specific interests, Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom has an enthusiasm and clarity that invites, rather than restrains the reader's interest. The range of topics addressed is wide and varied, yet all are relevant to the topic of freedom, and while the arguments are focused on political concerns, they extend far beyond the political sphere." Elizabeth Trott, Toronto Metropolitan University
“In Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom Robert Meynell offers a persuasive formulation of the intellectual roots of the philosophies of C.B. Macpherson, George Grant, and Charles Taylor. Meynell argues that despite the real differences among the three subjects there is an underlying identity: Hegelism. That Meynell manages to write an immensely readable book around Hegelian concepts is no small achievement. But above and beyond this, in pointing us toward ‘Hegel’ Meynell is indicating something at once more general and more unique about the Canadian philosophical situation.” Philosophy in Review
“[Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom] offers a persuasive formulation of the intellectual roots of the philosophies of C. B. Macpherson, George Grant andCharles Taylor. Meynell argues that despite the real differences among his three subjects, there is an underlying identity: Hegelian idealism. That Meynell manages to write an immensely readable book organized around Hegelian concepts is no small achievement. But above and beyond this, in pointing us toward ‘Hegel’ Meynell is indicating something at once more general and more unique about the Canadian philosophical situation.” Philosophy in Review
“In Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom Robert Meynell offers a persuasive formulation of the intellectual roots of the philosophies of C.B. Macpherson, George Grant, and Charles Taylor. Meynell argues that despite the real differences among the three subjects there is an underlying identity: Hegelism. That Meynell manages to write an immensely readable book around Hegelian concepts is no small achievement. But above and beyond this, in pointing us toward ‘Hegel’ Meynell is indicating something at once more general and more unique about the Canadian philosophical situation.” Philosophy in Review
“[Canadian Idealism and the Philosophy of Freedom] offers a persuasive formulation of the intellectual roots of the philosophies of C. B. Macpherson, George Grant andCharles Taylor. Meynell argues that despite the real differences among his three subjects, there is an underlying identity: Hegelian idealism. That Meynell manages to write an immensely readable book organized around Hegelian concepts is no small achievement. But above and beyond this, in pointing us toward ‘Hegel’ Meynell is indicating something at once more general and more unique about the Canadian philosophical situation.” Philosophy in Review
Robert Meynell is a lecturer at Trent University and a government relations associate at March of Dimes Canada.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Foreword
Jack Layton ix
1 Introduction 3
2 A Brief History of Canadian Idealism 14
PART ONE G.W.F. HEGEL
3 Hegel’s Political Philosophy 27
PART TWO C.B. MACPHERSON
4 Making Sense of Macpherson’s Liberal Marxism 61
5 Macpherson’s Third Way 83
PART THREE GEORGE GRANT
6 Grant’s “Hegelian Book” and Dreams on the Cusp 105
7 Grant’s Idealist Unfolding 126
8 Grant’s Conservative Retreat 141
PART FOUR CHARLES TAYLOR
9 Taylor’s Hegelian Remedy for the Modern Malaise 163
10 Taylor’s Hegelian Path to Autonomy 178
11 Taylor’s Freedom: Community and Self-Interpretation 189
12 Taylor’s Political Vision 199
13 Conclusion: The Legacy 209
Postscript: In Response to Sibley’s Northern Spirits 215
Notes 231
Bibliography 271
Index 287
Acknowledgments vii
Foreword
Jack Layton ix
1 Introduction 3
2 A Brief History of Canadian Idealism 14
PART ONE G.W.F. HEGEL
3 Hegel’s Political Philosophy 27
PART TWO C.B. MACPHERSON
4 Making Sense of Macpherson’s Liberal Marxism 61
5 Macpherson’s Third Way 83
PART THREE GEORGE GRANT
6 Grant’s “Hegelian Book” and Dreams on the Cusp 105
7 Grant’s Idealist Unfolding 126
8 Grant’s Conservative Retreat 141
PART FOUR CHARLES TAYLOR
9 Taylor’s Hegelian Remedy for the Modern Malaise 163
10 Taylor’s Hegelian Path to Autonomy 178
11 Taylor’s Freedom: Community and Self-Interpretation 189
12 Taylor’s Political Vision 199
13 Conclusion: The Legacy 209
Postscript: In Response to Sibley’s Northern Spirits 215
Notes 231
Bibliography 271
Index 287
