Introduction

Summary

A few years ago a commentator referred to Michael Oakeshott as ‘the greatest English philosopher of the twentieth century’. This rather unremarkable suggestion provoked a small storm among the readers, including even some Oakeshottians. The idea that someone who was often regarded as a philosophical outsider could be more profound and interesting than his peers apparently offended, or at least peeved, many people. Their reaction showed that even after the tremendous surge in interest in Oakeshott's thought over the past decade, it is still a ‘niche’ interest.

One of the purposes of the current volume is to make it less so. This is not a book written exclusively by and for Oakeshottians. Rather, it is the enterprise of a diverse collection of scholars who wish to understand the broad meaning and impact of Oakeshott's philosophy and share their understanding with others. Not all contributors will subscribe to my conviction regarding the exceptional greatness of Oakeshott's philosophy (though all, I believe, would agree that it offers something of value to the modern mind); yet as the editor I feel obliged to confess that this is my view and to offer a few general accompanying remarks.

In philosophy, as in art, an opinion about greatness cannot be proven. The recognition of the value of a philosophy is in the final account always a matter of inner conviction, of immediate and sincere acknowledgement of the quality of thought displayed. Therefore, no text about Oakeshott (or any other philosopher) can ever offer an irrefutable demonstration of his alleged value. Commentary can never offer more than assistance in interpreting the philosopher’s works.