Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas and Beyond (Proceedings of the British Academy: Themed volumes of essays in the humanities and social sciences, 281)

Blau, Adrian

ISBN 10: 1836245750 / ISBN 13: 9781836245759

Published by The British Academy, 2026

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 409099592

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas and Beyond (Proceedings of the British Academy: Themed volumes of essays in the humanities and social sciences, 281)
• Publisher: The British Academy
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1836245750
• ISBN 13: 9781836245759
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Quentin Skinner is one of the world’s leading historians. His work includes pioneering studies of Machiavelli and Hobbes, as well as important research on changing ideas of liberty and the state. His classic 1969 essay ‘Meaning and Understanding in the History of Ideas’ was a ground-breaking challenge to prevailing ideas about how to read historical texts, and helped to found an influential school of interpretation. The essay is still the most widely read article in the area, and continues to breed debate. This book celebrates the 50th anniversary of Skinner’s seminal essay with chapters that offer constructive critiques and expansions of his ideas, drawing in part on developments in digital humanities, empirical social science, and other areas. We focus not just on theory but also practice: what are the practical implications of these arguments for other researchers? At the end of the book, Professor Skinner responds to these commentaries.

About the Author

Adrian Blau is Professor of Politics at King’s College London. His research interests include the history of political thought and other issues in political theory/philosophy, including corruption, democracy and rationality.