The Social Thought of the Ancient Civilizations

Abstract

No one would dispute the desirability of the possibility of an examination of the social thought of the ancient civilizations, especially after reading the very able book of Prof. Hertzler. It is not only history, but also sociology and philosophy which can benefit from such an examination. For social forms of civilizations are necessarily an embodiment of the thought and attitude towards life of the various races concerned. The systematic exposition of the social thought of the ancient Egyptians, then of the Babylonians with special emphasis upon the Assyrian and Hittite collections of laws, then of ancient Persia, of early India and of ancient China, and finally of the Hebrews, is illustrated with a wealth of quotations from all available sources. The discussion of the principles involved is based also on the general background of the races concerned. The author has taken great trouble in selecting his material and in classifying it in such a way as to provide an intelligible and interesting study of the subject. The Social Thought of the Ancient Civilizations Prof. Joyce O. Hertzler By. (McGraw-Hill Publications in Sociology.) Pp. xvi+409. (New York and London: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1936.) 24s.