Edward Shils was a major intellectual and social thinker of the mid-twentieth century. This collection captures the major facets the thought of this complex and controversial figure.

Edward Shils was a central figure in twentieth century social thought. He held appointments both at Chicago and Cambridge and was a crucial link between British and American intellectual life. This volume collects essays by distinguished contributors which deal with the major facets of Shils’ thought, including his relations with Michael Polanyi, his parallels with Michael Oakeshott, his defense of the traditional university, his fundamental philosophical anthropology, and his important work on such topics as tradition, civility, and the nation. As an introduction to this complex and original thinker, it will be of interest to scholars and students in a number of fields, including sociology and social theory, but also to anyone interested in the intellectual life as it was lived in the mid-twentieth century, in the face of the Cold War and ideological struggle.

Introduction: discovering and rediscovering Shils – Stephen P. Turner1 The philosophical anthropology of Edward Shils – Steven Grosby2 The sociologist as human scientist: the meaning of Shils – Thomas Schneider3 The recovery of tradition – Lenore T. Ealy4 Edward Shils and Michael Polanyi: the terms of engagement – Phil Mullins5 Shils, Mannheim, and ideology – Christopher Adair-Toteff6 Shils and Oakeshott – Efraim Podoksik7 Edward Shils on pluralism and civility – Richard Boyd8 Nations, nationality and civil society in the work of Edward Shils – Peter Mentzel9 Shils and the intellectuals – Jeff Pooley10 Edward Shils and his Portraits – Bryan Turner11 Edward Shils: defender of the traditional university – Philip G. Altbach12 Concluding comments: Edward Shils—The ‘Outsider’ – Christopher Adair-ToteffAppendix: Bibliography of the published works of Professor Edward Shils – C. C. Schnusenberg and G. B. NeavillIndex

Edward Shils was a central figure in twentieth century social thought. He held appointments both at Chicago and Cambridge and was a crucial link between British and American intellectual life. This volume collects essays by distinguished contributors which deal with the major facets of Shils’ thought, including his relations with Michael Polanyi, his parallels with Michael Oakeshott, his defense of the traditional university, his fundamental philosophical anthropology, and his important work on such topics as tradition, civility, and the nation. As an introduction to this complex and original thinker, it will be of interest to scholars and students in a number of fields, including sociology and social theory, but also to anyone interested in the intellectual life as it was lived in the mid-twentieth century, in the face of the Cold War and ideological struggle.