Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation / Reprinted from Green's Philosophical Works, vol. II., with Preface by Bernard Bosanquet

Name: Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation / Reprinted from Green's Philosophical Works, vol. II., with Preface by Bernard Bosanquet
Author: Thomas Hill Green

By Thomas Hill Green

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About This Book

The lectures examine the moral foundations of political obligation by relating individual will and reason to the structures of civil society, arguing that duties to the state derive from the same self‑realising impulse that generates moral freedom. They clarify competing senses of freedom in philosophical traditions, analyze how laws, rules, and public opinion form moral sentiments, and judge civil institutions by their capacity to cultivate autonomy. Rejecting a literal state of nature, the lectures define natural rights as those that ought to be enforceable and explore how social organisation reconciles personal motives with collective moral aims.

About the Author

Thomas Hill Green

Thomas Hill Green was a prominent British philosopher and political theorist in the late 19th century, known for his contributions to idealism and political obligation. His works often explored the intersection of ethics, politics, and the role of fiction in society. Among his notable writings is "An Estimate of the Value and Influence of Works of Fiction in Modern Times," where he examines the impact of literature on moral and social development. Green's lectures, such as "Four Lectures on the English Revolution," reflect his deep engagement with historical and philosophical questions, making him a significant figure in the landscape of modern philosophical thought.