Book Reviews: Freedom and History: The Semantics of Philosophical Controversies and Ideological Conflicts. By RICHARD McKEON. (New York: The Noon-day Press, Inc. 1952. Pp. 95. $2.50.)

• Author: Willard O. Eddy
• Published date: 01 December 1952
• Date: 01 December 1952
• DOI: 10.1177/106591295200500420
• Subject Matter: Articles

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Freedom and History: The Semantics of Philosophical Controversies and
Ideological Conflicts. By RICHARD McKEON. (New York: The Noon-
day Press, Inc. 1952. Pp. 95. $2.50.)
Theoretic matters sometimes turn out to be of great importance for
practical affairs. This is true of &dquo;semantics&dquo; as Mr. McKeon uses the
term. What men conclude in regard to the meaning of &dquo;history&dquo; and
&dquo;freedom&dquo; is logically dependent on the methods and principles employed
in their thinking. Since these methods and principles vary appreciably
and the conclusions vary correspondingly, the result is a conflict of political
policies, each theoretically sound and convincing when viewed exclusively
in terms of the framework in which it is formulated, each untenable
and easily refuted when viewed in terms of an alternative mode of
thought. From one point of view then, important practical problems, as
well as theoretical problems regarding the nature of knowledge and its
application to practical issues, turn on semantic considerations. Semantic
studies at the proper level serve to reveal the roots of current conflicts,
such as that between Communist countries and the democratic nations,
and at their best may uncover common ground for agreement, essential
for the actualization of freedom however it may be conceived.
Freedom and History explores difficult intellectual terrain. Fashions
in modes of thought change, and different thinkers in different periods,
countries,...