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Natural Law and Human Dignity by Ernst Bloch translated by Dennis J. Schmidt . Ernst Bloch (1885-1977), one of the most original and influential of con temporary European thinkers, has left his mark on a range of fields from philosophy and social theory to aes thetics and theology. Natural Law and Human Dignity, the first of his major works to appear in English, is unique in its attempt to get beyond the usual oppositions between the natural law and social utopian tradi tions, thereby providing basic insights on the question of human rights in a socialist society. Natural Law and Human Dignity is a sweeping yet synthetic work that critically reviews the great legal phi losophies, from Plato to the present, in order to uncover and clarify the normative features of true socialism. Along the way it offers thoughtful reflections on topics as diverse as the abolition of poverty and degradation, the nature of the state,. and the installation of freedom and dignity. Taking the idea of natural law as his guiding thread, Bloch argues that revolution and right, rather than being antagonistic, are fundamentally interconnected. With their emphasis on human dignity, the traditions of natural law have an irreplaceable contribution to make to the socialist vision of a more humane society. In his effort to wed the demands of law
Natural Law and Human Di gnity
Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought Thomas McCarthy, General Editor Theodor W. Adorno, Against Epistemology: A Metacritique Theodor W. Adorno, Prisms Karl-Otto Apel, Understanding and Explanation: A Transcendental-Pragmatic Perspective Richard J. Bernstein, editor, Habermas and Modernity Ernst Bloch, Natural Law and Human Dignity Hans Blumenberg, The Legitimacy ef the Modern Age Hans Blumenberg, Work on Myth Helmut Dubiel, Theory and Politics: Studies in the Development ef Critical Theory John Forester, editor, Critical Theory and Public Life Hans-Georg Gadamer, Philosophical Apprenticeships Hans-Georg Gadamer, Reason in the Age ef Science Jurgen Habermas, Philosophical-Political Profiles Jurgen Habennas, editor, Observations on "The Spiritual Situation ef the Age" Hans Joas, G. H. Mead: A Contemporary Re-examination ef His Thought
Reinhart Koselleck, Futures Past: On the Semantics ef Historical Time Claus Offe, Contradictions ef the Welfare State Claus Offe, Disorganiz.ed Capitalism: Contemporary Trangormations of Work and Politics Helmut Peukert, Science, Action, and Fundammtal Theology: Toward a Theology ef Communicative Action Joachim Ritter, Hegel and the French Revolution: Essays on the Philosophy of Right
Alfred Schmidt, History and Structure: An Essay on Hegelian-Marxist and Structuralist Theories ef History Carl Schmitt, Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept