The Perfectibility of Man (Third Edition)

John Passmore

4.18 out of 5 stars

28 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0865972575 ISBN 13: 9780865972575

Published by Liberty Fund, Indianapolis, IN, 2000

Language: English

Condition: Used - Near fine Hardcover

Save for Later

Sold by Mesquite Booksellers, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.

AbeBooks Seller since December 4, 2025

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars

View this seller's items

View all copies of this book

Used - Hardcover

Condition: Used - Near fine

Price:

US$ 29.00

US$ 3.00 shipping
Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Free 30-day returns

Save for Later

About this Item

xvi,530. No jacket. THIRD EDITION. Unfortunately there is a pen marking on the copyright page; otherwise the text is entirely unmarked. One corner slightly pressed. Nearly pristine otherwise. Pages wonderfully crisp. Spine tight and uncocked, with sound binding. Book stands square. Tassel cord appears to be in its original position. If you order this from outside the United States, we will request an additional payment to help cover the postage. Please feel welcome to message us with any questions, or a request for photographs. Every order includes tracking and is wrapped and robustly packaged with care in Tucson, AZ. ~Mesquite Booksellers.

Seller Inventory # 75880

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Perfectibility of Man (Third Edition)
Publisher: Liberty Fund, Indianapolis, IN
Publication Date: 2000
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0865972575
ISBN 13: 9780865972575
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 3rd Edition
Condition: Near Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

About this title

Synopsis

A reviewer of the original edition in 1970 of The Perfectibility of Man well summarizes the scope and significance of this renowned work by one of the leading philosophers of the twentieth century: �Beginning with an analytic discussion of the various ways in which perfectibility has been interpreted, Professor Passmore traces its long history from the Greeks to the present day, by way of Christianity, orthodox and heterodox, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, anarchism, utopias, communism, psychoanalysis, and evolutionary theories of man and society. Both in its broad sweep and in countless supporting reflections, it is a journey through spiritual scenery of the most majestic and exhilarating kind.� Thoroughly and elegantly, Passmore explores the history of the idea of perfectibility�manifest in the ideology of perfectibilism�and its consequences, which have invariably been catastrophic for individual liberty and responsibility in private, social, economic, and political life.

John Passmore served for many years as a Professor of Philosophy at Australian National University.

About the Author

Passmore is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Australian National University.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Mesquite Booksellers specializes in history, philosophy and the social sciences. Most titles are academic press. We offer some heavily discounted Bradt Guides, as a service to the world-curious. We buy collections of academic books; please message us through AbeBooks should you wish to sell yours. More photographs of any book will happily be sent to you upon request. Please message us with any questions!

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Mesquite Booksellers
AZ, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We carefully evaluate each title listed for sale. If you are unsatisfied with the condition of any book, you may return it (in the same condition as you received it) for a full refund within 30 days.

Payment may only be made via AbeBooks.

Shipping Terms

All shipments will originate in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Orders placed Sunday-Friday will be processed and shipped by 5pm the next day. Should you order on a Saturday or a holiday, we will ship on the next available business day.

All books are carefully and robustly packaged.

We do not drop ship. All titles are in our possession and immediately accessible.

Shipping within the United States will be conducted by USPS Media Mail.

International shipments will be sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS). This means that when the parcel arrives in your country, it will be handled and delivered by your country's national postal service (not a private courier). We are likely to request an additional payment to help cover the cost of an international shipment.

Important Notice to International Buyers: Import duties, taxes and other charges by your country's authorities are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Check with your local customs office to determine what these additional costs may be. Once a parcel arrives in your country, your country's authorities and postal service may process and deliver that parcel quite quickly, or quite slowly. Once the parcel arrives in your country, neither Mesquite Booksellers nor the United States Postal Service is responsible for a slow processing and delivery. Shipping time estimates concern the speed with which the parcel arrives to your country, not how quickly it arrives at your door. Some of the best (fastest) performers in this regard: Switzerland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Australia, Slovakia, Hungary, Israel. Some of the worst performers: Italy, Spain, France, Mexico.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	US$ 3.00	US$ 5.50

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.