BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain Hardback - 2008

by Thomas Dixon

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain

From the publisher

"Altruism" was coined by the French sociologist Auguste Comte in the early 1850s as a theoretical term in his 'cerebral theory' and as the central ideal of his atheistic "Religion of Humanity." In The Invention of Altruism, Thomas Dixon traces this new language of 'altruism' as it spread through British culture between the 1850s and the 1900s, and in doing so provides a new portrait of Victorian moral thought.

Drawing attention to the importance of Comtean positivism in setting the agenda for debates about science and religion, this volume challenges received ideas about both Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer as moral philosophers. Darwin saw sympathy and love, not only selfishness and competition, throughout the natural world. Spencer was the instigator of an Anti-Aggression League and an advocate of greater altruism in Britain's dealings with the "lower races." It also sheds light on the rise of popular socialism in the 1880s, on the creation of the idealist 'altruist' in novels of the 1890s, and on the individualistic philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche, Oscar Wilde, and G. E. Moore--authors considered by some to be representative of fin de sicle "egomania."

This wide-ranging study in the history of ideas is highly relevant to contemporary debates about altruism, evolution, religion, and ethics.

Details

  • Title The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain
  • Author Thomas Dixon
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 440
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher British Academy, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Publication date 2008-07-15
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780197264263 / 0197264263
  • Weight 2.3 lbs (1.04 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 in (23.62 x 15.75 x 3.81 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 19th Century
    • Cultural Region: British
  • Category History - General History
  • Library of Congress subjects Altruism, Ethics - Great Britain - History - 19th
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2008299723
  • Dewey Decimal Code 171.809

Media reviews

Citations

  • London Review of Books, 03/12/2009, Page 29

More Copies for Sale

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy...
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Monographs)

by Dixon, T.

  • Used
  • Hardback
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$126.68
A$26.86 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Oup/British Academy, 2008. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,900grams, ISBN:9780197264263
Add to wish list
Item price
A$126.68
A$26.86 Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain
More photos

The Invention of Altruism Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain

by Thomas Dixon

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$136.45
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
British Academy. Good. 2008. Hardcover. British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Monographs; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; The book shows average wear. Foxing present to the edges of the pages.; - We're committed to your satisfaction. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and securely boxed. All orders ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. .
Add to wish list
Item price
A$136.45
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Monographs)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Monographs)

by Dixon, Thomas

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$152.15
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
New. Brand new and still unused
Add to wish list
Item price
A$152.15
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy...
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Monographs)

by Dixon, Thomas

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$152.68
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2008-07-15. 1. hardcover. Used: Good. 9.20x1.40x6.30. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$152.68
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain

by Thomas Dixon

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$206.05
A$19.30 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Hardback. New. This volume explores how Victorian philosophers, scientists, clergymen, and novelists debated the meaning of the new term 'altruism'. Including a reappraisal of Charles Darwin's ideas and insights into the rise of popular socialism, this study is highly relevant to contemporary debates about altruism, evolution, religion, and ethics.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$206.05
A$19.30 Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Monographs)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Monographs)

by Dixon, Thomas

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$157.97
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$157.97
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention Of Altruism
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention Of Altruism

by Dixon, Thomas,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$191.79
A$5.85 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$191.79
A$5.85 Delivery to USA
The Invention Of Altruism
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention Of Altruism

by Dixon, Thomas,

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$191.79
A$5.85 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$191.79
A$5.85 Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy...
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism: Making Moral Meanings in Victorian Britain (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Monographs)

by Dixon, Thomas

  • New
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
New
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
6
Seller
Item price
A$215.90
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2008-07-15. 1. hardcover. New. 9.20x1.40x6.30. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$215.90
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Altruism
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Altruism

by Thomas Dixon

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780197264263 / 0197264263
Quantity available
3
Seller
Item price
A$257.48
A$5.85 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Oxford University Press OUP , pp. xiv + 420 . Hardback. New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$257.48
A$5.85 Delivery to USA