Paradox and Society: The Work of Bernard Mandeville

Naslovnica
Louis Schneider
Transaction Publishers - Broj stranica: 248

The writings of Bernard Mandeville mark an important transition between enlightenment, social philosophy, and modern science. Born in Holland in 1670 and educated as a physician, Mandeville spent the greater part of his working life in England, where he died in 1733. In some respects, Mandeville can be compared to Voltaire--Mandeville's junior by twenty-four years.

Mandeville had the knack of making controversies volcanic and of arousing heated debate about any topic on which he chose to comment--and he chose to comment on virtually everything. He was especially1 interested in social evolution, morality and society, prostitution and romantic love, crime and its deterrence, and in social aspects of religion. His views on these and countless other topics cohere in his continual fascination with the consequences of social and economic actions that run counter to anticipations and intentions and in the paradoxical or ironic cast that such outcomes often have. In "Paradox and Society, "Louis Schneider is the first to offer a full consideration of Mandeville as a sociologist.

Schneider offers an intellectual and characterological portrait of Mandeville, examining his writings and reactions to him over time. Schneider goes on to review Mandeville's theory of human nature, and explores his hotly contested notion of the paradox of private vices and public benefits--that the arousal of desires is a necessary precondition for the stimulation of social and economic development.

Social action outside the marketplace, and Mandeville's problematic theory of social evolution, are next considered. The volume ends with an examination of paradox, irony, and satire in society. In this detailed analysis of one of the world's most controversial social critics, Schneider shows us that Mandeville offers a vision of human society that is of enduring significance. He challenges the reader to consider how that vision might operate in today's world.

 

Sadržaj

ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS
6
THE EMERGENCE OF COOPERATIVE
13
THE EMERGENCE OF NORMS
35
THE COSTS OF ORGANIZING
61
THE ATTENUATION OF CUSTOMS
119
SOCIAL ORDER BARTER
141
A COMPARATIVE INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS
171
CULTURAL RESOURCES AND PARTICIPATION
187
TOWARD A THEORY OF UNION EMERGENCE
291
INTRAFAMILIAL MARKETS FOR EDUCATION
307
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE CONTRIBUTORS
331
Acknowledgments
Human Nature and the Foundations of Society
67
The Taming of the Beast and the Establishment of Society
89
Echoes of the Battle of
95
Economic Interest the Market and Society
130

AN INSTITUTION IN ITS OWN RIGHT
225
THE POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF FASCIST PARTY
245
INCENTIVES GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
265
The Consequences of Social Action and the Theme
167
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