Those essays in this collection which have been published previously are in most cases reprinted here with only a few minor amendments of style. I have, however, restored cuts which were made in the original printing on grounds of space or economy, wherever these in my view affected the meaning of what I wished to convey. The lists of personal acknowledgements in the reprinted essays are omitted since, when taken together, they became tiresomely repetitive. It is a sobering experience to see how lengthy is the list of those on whose generous aid my work has depended heavily at one point or another in the last seventeen years. Gratitude keeps its shape better than many other feelings; and I remain extremely grateful for all the help which I have been given. I am especially grateful, too, on this occasion to Patricia Williams for once again giving me the chance to make my thoughts public and for her extraordinary kindness and patience in the course of helping me to do so.

The essays were first published as follows:

1. Chapter 2 in Philosophy, XLIII, April 1968 (the journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy)

2. Chapter 3 in The Historical Journal, X, 2, 1967

3. Chapter 4 in John W. Yolton (ed.), John Locke: Problems and Perspectives, Cambridge University Press 1969

4. Chapter 5 in Christopher Hookway & Philip Pettit (eds.), Action and Interpretation: Studies in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Cambridge University Press 1978

5. Chapter 6 in Dennis Austin & Robin Luckham (eds.), Politicians and Soldiers in Ghana 1966–1972, Frank Cass, London 1975

6. […]