The Morals of Markets and related essays [antikvár]

FOREWORDHarry Burrows Acton (1908-1974) was a prolific scholar with particularly wide-ranging interests in philosophy and its history. Although his earliest work was on metaphysics, his principal reputation rests on his writings in three fields: moral and political philosophy, the history of modern philosophy, and the critical study of Marxism. He served for many years as editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy's journal, Philosophy, and he also had a long-standing interest in French philosophy.Acton's approach to political philosophy in some ways resembles that of F. A. Hayek. Acton and Hayek both wrote in defense of a market-based society at a time when such ideas were unfashionable. Also, both writers often set out their own views through discussion of the history of ideas. Those who enjoy reading Hayek but do not know of Acton's work are in for a treat. However, as the reader will discover, there are some significant differences between them, both in points of philosophical argument and in their broader approach. Acton is more of a traditionalist than Hayek, and he is also more concerned with issues of morality.The centerpiece of this collection is The Morals of Markets. This work is of lasting interest because Acton has wise things to say about so many of the questions that will occur to the thoughtful person concerning the morality of markets. It also addresses a central topic in political theory:ix