
Earth-Hunger and Other Essays
Enriched edition. Unraveling Social Complexities: Essays on Competition, Government, and Human NatureBy William Graham SumnerLength12h
About this audiobook
In "Earth-Hunger and Other Essays," William Graham Sumner presents a critical examination of societal norms, economic theories, and moral values prevalent in late 19th-century America. Through a collection of incisive essays, Sumner employs a sharp, analytical literary style that blends empirical observation with engaging rhetoric. He explores themes of individualism, capitalism, and the consequences of social paternalism, positioning these discussions within the burgeoning context of American economic thought and the rise of progressive movements. Each essay serves as a mirror to the age, capturing the tensions between personal freedom and collective responsibility, making the collection an essential read for those interested in the underpinnings of modern American society. William Graham Sumner was a prominent sociologist and a leading advocate of social Darwinism, whose intellectual pursuits stemmed from a profound belief in individual liberty and the market's self-regulating power. Born in 1840, his experiences as a teacher and an academic at Yale University provided him a unique vantage point from which to critique the socio-economic landscape of his time. His invested interest in the implications of wealth distribution and government intervention reveals a deep concern for the ethical and practical consequences of public policy. "Earth-Hunger and Other Essays" is highly recommended for scholars and lay readers alike, as it invites reflection on the interplay between economic reality and ethical imperatives. Its relevance to contemporary debates surrounding social welfare and individual rights makes it a timeless contribution to socio-economic literature. Readers will find Sumner's arguments both provocative and enlightening, offering a compelling framework for understanding the complexities of modern civilization.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
GenrePsychology
Length12 hrs
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 8, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Historical Context
4Synopsis (Selection)
5Preface
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6Autobiography [1903]
7The Teacher's Unconscious Success
8The Scientific Attitude of Mind
9Earth Hunger
10Purposes and Consequences
11Rights
12Equality
13First Steps Toward a Millennium [1888]
14What Is Civil Liberty?
15Is Liberty a Lost Blessing?
16Who Is Free? Is It the Savage?
17Who Is Free? Is It the Civilized Man?
18Who Is Free? Is It the Millionaire?
19Who Is Free? Is It the Tramp?
20Liberty and Responsibility
21Liberty and Law
22Liberty and Discipline
23Liberty and Property
24Liberty and Opportunity
25Liberty and Labor
26Does Labor Brutalize?
27Liberty and Machinery
28The Disappointment of Liberty
29Some Points in the New Social Creed
30An Examination of a Noble Sentiment
31The Banquet of Life
32Some Natural Rights
33The Abolition of Poverty
34The Boon of Nature
35Land Monopoly
36A Group of Natural Monopolies
37Another Chapter on Monopoly
38The Family Monopoly
39The Family and Property
40The State and Monopoly
41Democracy and Plutocracy
42Definitions of Democracy and Plutocracy
43Conflict of Plutocracy and Democracy
44Democracy and Modern Problems
45Separation of State and Market
46Social War in Democracy
47Economics and Politics
48The Power and Beneficence of Capital [1899]
49Sociological Fallacies [1884]
50What Our Boys are Reading [1880]