Experience and its Modes

Cambridge Philosophy Classics

by Michael Oakeshott

When it first appeared in 1933, Experience and its Modes was not considered a classic. But as philosophical fashion moved away from the analytic philosophy of the 1930s, this work began to seem ahead of its time. Arguing that experience is 'modal', in the sense that we always have a theoretical or practical perspective on the world, Michael Oakeshott explores the nature of philosophical experience and its relationship to three of the most important 'modes' of non-philosophical experience - science, history and practice - seeking to establish the autonomy and superiority of philosophy. In recognition of its enduring importance, this book is presented in a fresh series livery for a new generation of readers, featuring a specially commissioned preface written by Paul Franco.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

English philosopher and political theorist who wrote about philosophy of history, philosophy of religion, aesthetics, and philosophy of law. He is widely regarded as one of the most important conservative thinkers of the 20th century, although he has sometimes been characterized as a liberal thinker.
Oakeshott was dismayed by the descent into political extremism that took place in Europe in the 1930s, and his surviving lectures from this period reveal a dislike of National Socialism and Marxism.
In 1945, Oakeshott was demobilized and returned to Cambridge for two years. In 1947, he left Cambridge for Nuffield College, Oxford. After only a year, he secured an appointment as Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), succeeding Harold Laski. He was deeply unsympathetic to the student action at LSE that occurred in the late 1960s, on the grounds that it disrupted the aims of the university. Oakeshott retired from LSE in 1969.
Oakeshott refused an offer of Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, for which he was proposed by Margaret Thatcher.

Reviews

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply don't agree with Oakeshott, which is alright. An important read if you plan on studying the rest of his political and educational philosophy.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. A fully satisfactory review warrants more words than I can offer right now. But nearly every paragraph and sentence offer insights, often dispatching entire philosophical systems. The level of abstraction will make it difficult for most people. Readers interested in his thought, but don't have the intuitions to follow his words, may do well to considering reading George Berkeley, Michael Polanyi, or T.S. Eliot first.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering I plan to write a dissertation on this, I'll save the comments for later, when I can be more long-winded than usual.

[Billy · Rating 2 out of 5]

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