Lexington Books Enlightening Revolutions: Essays in Honor of Ralph Lerner

Enlightening Revolutions-a collection of outstanding essays by highly prominent scholars-examines the different ways in which the relation between politics and philosophy has been understood and enacted over the ages. The volume sheds light on key theoretical and historical issues: the intriguing position and historical influence of medieval Jewish and Islamic rationalism; the advent of modernity in the thought of Machiavelli and Hobbes; the prospects for greatness in modernity as seen by Adam Smith, Jonathan Swift, the Founding Fathers, and Alexis de Tocqueville; and the prospects for philosophic excellence in modern times as seen by, among others, Montesquieu and Leo Strauss, as well as through the eyes of Plato and the Bible. The volume is dedicated to Ralph Lerner, Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago. It honors Lerner's splendid teaching and scholarship over half a century, and testifies in some measure to his enlightening, enlivening, gracefully witty, and humanizing activity and example. Review A powerful collection of essays--scholarly and humane, probing and elegant--that honors by imitating the great virtues of Ralph Lerner as a teacher and scholar.--Arthur Melzer, Michigan State University This richly varied collection of essays on the problematic relationship of political theory and practice pays due honor to Ralph Lerner and to the enlightening stimulus of his lifework of scholarship and teaching.--Thomas Pangle, University of Toronto An outstanding group of essays on an unusually rich array of topics ranging from medieval political philosophy to Tocqueville. . . This deeply informed collection constitutes a worthy tribute to an extraordinary teacher and scholar.--Susan Shell, Boston College About the Author Svetozar Minkov is assistant professor of philosophy at Roosevelt University.