Romantic Rationalist
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
Romantic Rationalist
By (Author) John P. Clark
By (author) William Godwin
Edited by Peter Marshall
PM Press
PM Press
10th May 2017
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers
Philosophical traditions and schools of thought
Anarchism
828.709
Physical Properties
Paperback
192
Width 152mm, Height 229mm
Description
William Godwin (1756-1836) was one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. He was not only a radical philosopher but a pioneer in libertarian education, a founder of communist economics and a powerful novelist whose literary family included his partner, Mary Wollstonecraft, and his daughter Mary Godwin (later Mary Shelley). This work offers for the first time a collection of Godwin's key writings in a clear and concise form, together with an assessment of his influence, a biographical sketch and an analysis of his contribution to anarchism.
Reviews
"Peter Marshall has produced the most useful modern account of Godwin's life and now the most useful modern anthology of his writings. Marshall's selection is sensible and valuable, bringing out the important points.... His introduction is a good summary of Godwin's life and work.... Marshall is right to see him as 'the most profound exponent of philosophical anarchism.'"
--Nicolas Walter, New Statesman
"A handsome and handy little book, excavating nuggets of Godwinian wisdom from the whole range of his writings."
--Colin Ward, Times Educational Supplement
"An anarchist classic... with a valuable sketch of Godwin's life and an interpretation of his work. Much of what Godwin says is obvious common sense."
--Henry Geiger, Manas Journal
Author Bio
William Godwin was one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. John Clark is the Curtin Distinguished Professor in Humane Letters and the Professions, a professor of philosophy, and a member of the environmental studies faculty at Loyola University-New Orleans. He is the author or editor of a dozen books, most recently, The Impossible Community. He lives in New Orleans. Peter Marshall is a historian, philosopher, travel writer, and poet. He has written sixteen books, including Demanding the Impossible and William Godwin. He was a founding member of a libertarian community in England.
