THE EAGLE AND THE BEAR

by Pennington Haile ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 24, 1950

A highly readable and stimulating analysis of the Russo- American situation in terms of historical philosophy. In the scorpian nests of contemporary propaganda, superstitions and addled information, where the liberal finds himself in the ignominious position of a muddled mugwump, some thinking way up in the clear blue air of philosophy is indeed welcome. In a threefold discussion of the philosophical roots of medievalism, eighteenth century rationalism and Marxism, the author traces the ideological frameworks of three great societies back to their quiet and rarefied beginnings, together with the peculiar conditions that transformed an academic concept into its popular manifestation. As the Christian church appropriated Aristotle's ""graduated"" society with Divine purpose working through men, and the liberated free men writing the Declaration of Independence found a sound rationalistic basis in Locke's theory of government as a necessary evil for the protection of life, liberty and property, so the property-less peasants of Russia discovered an answer in the ""classless"" Utopia evolved from the popular concept of the Hegel-Fichte-Marx dialectic materialism. Students should be warned that this book is for popular consumption -- the family trees have too few branches, the outlines are simplified. Also the author's conclusion is a confusing appendage- arms and propaganda for doubtful countries, based on the assumption that the twain shall never meet. However, as a breaking down of nebulous emotional prejudices, this is a fine achievement.

Pub Date: May 24, 1950

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Ives Washburn

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1950

Categories: NONFICTION