Honour Among Men and Nations

Transformations of an idea

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Political Science, History
Cover of the book Honour Among Men and Nations by Geoffrey Best, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Geoffrey Best ISBN: 9781442633599
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: December 15, 1982
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Geoffrey Best
ISBN: 9781442633599
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: December 15, 1982
Imprint:
Language: English

To no group subject to sociological and political analysis has honour seemed to matter more than to the military. Their idea of it has commonly been accepted as the most superior, open to emulation to the limited extent that different circumstances and purposes in non-military life permit.

The degeneration of this concept and of the public realm in which honour’s obligations have to be observed is the subject of this book, based on the 1981 Joanne Goodman Lectures at the University of Western Ontario.

Best begins with the discovery, in the age of the American and French revolutions, of the nation as the supreme object of honourable service. He discusses how nationalism and democracy marched together through the nineteenth century to harden this creed and broaden its base, so that what had previously been a code for noblemen became a popular code for patriots.

He finds that, in spite of the historical naturalness, even inevitability, of nationalism, its ensuing and corrective counter-current, internationalism, is a much more appealing principle. In internationalism, a tradition of cosmopolitan, transnational thought and activity, unmoved by the passions of nationalism and critical of them on the grounds of humanity and peace, he perceives a greater field for honourable service—honour’s obligation to the service of mankind.

Best casts new light upon some familiar historical episodes and values and suggests fruitful fields for future study. 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

To no group subject to sociological and political analysis has honour seemed to matter more than to the military. Their idea of it has commonly been accepted as the most superior, open to emulation to the limited extent that different circumstances and purposes in non-military life permit.

The degeneration of this concept and of the public realm in which honour’s obligations have to be observed is the subject of this book, based on the 1981 Joanne Goodman Lectures at the University of Western Ontario.

Best begins with the discovery, in the age of the American and French revolutions, of the nation as the supreme object of honourable service. He discusses how nationalism and democracy marched together through the nineteenth century to harden this creed and broaden its base, so that what had previously been a code for noblemen became a popular code for patriots.

He finds that, in spite of the historical naturalness, even inevitability, of nationalism, its ensuing and corrective counter-current, internationalism, is a much more appealing principle. In internationalism, a tradition of cosmopolitan, transnational thought and activity, unmoved by the passions of nationalism and critical of them on the grounds of humanity and peace, he perceives a greater field for honourable service—honour’s obligation to the service of mankind.

Best casts new light upon some familiar historical episodes and values and suggests fruitful fields for future study. 

More books from University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division

Cover of the book Race on Trial by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book The Sixties and Beyond by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Heidegger and Homecoming by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book The Empire of the St. Lawrence by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Schooling the Next Generation by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book The Politics of Race by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book A Legacy of Lyrics by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Between Worlds by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Blackfoot Dictionary of Stems, Roots, and Affixes by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Verlaine by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Revenge of the Windigo by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book The Administrative Structure by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Our Man in Moscow by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Canadian-Soviet Relations between the World Wars by Geoffrey Best
Cover of the book Civility by Geoffrey Best
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy