Culture and Anarchy (Rethinking the Western Tradition)

Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold is one of the major works of the Western intellectual tradition, exploring the role of culture, reason, education, and civil society. Arnold argues for the importance of thoughtful self-development and social order in contrast to what he saw as the dangers of unchecked individualism and “doing as one likes.”

This edition presents the original 1869 text in unaltered form and adds specially commissioned essays by Maurice Cowling, Gerald Graff, Samuel Lipman, and Steven Marcus. These contributors examine Arnold’s ideas from differing political and literary perspectives, connecting his arguments to modern debates over cultural authority, elitism, multiculturalism, and the condition of Western society.

Also included are a helpful glossary and an introduction by Samuel Lipman. A strong choice for readers of philosophy, cultural criticism, political thought, literature, and intellectual history.

Paperback, Very Good.Previous Owner's name written and dated on first inside page.