Abstract

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. Requires signed TDF. ;A systematic and comprehensive examination of the philosophical foundations of William Temple's social thought. The dissertation begins with an examination of the concept of history at work within Temple's social thought. His understanding of the political realm, as seen in his treatment of liberty, society and the state, is considered, as is his discussion of the political norms of human rights, property, equality and justice. Temple's treatment of political ethics, beginning with practical moral duty in general and then proceeding to the distinctive political roles of citizenship, the politician and of groups acting collectively is also examined. ;It is argued that Temple's original position was a form of Hegelian historicism. This is found in the metaphysical theory of value , in the view of history as progressively attaining perfection through Christendom, in the state-collectivism of the political theory, and in the understanding of moral duty as following the conventions of society. These views show the influence of the British Idealists, who were in turn influenced by Hegel. Temple developed his position in a more individualist direction by qualifying the earlier collectivism and adopting a consequentialist view of moral duty. He also advanced a paradoxical understanding of the relationship between history and eternity. Finally, at the end of his career and in piecemeal fashion, he moved away from some of his earlier positions and, following the continental existentialist-influenced theologians and Reinhold Niebuhr, adopted a pessimistic view of history and hinted at a radical individualism. ;Historicism therefore declined in importance in his social thought. It is concluded that both his earliest and his latest positions were problematic, while aspects of the middle period texts make lasting contributions to Christian social thought. ;A chronological and complete bibliography of Temple's writings is provided