Michael Oakeshott (1901–90) was a philosopher and a political theorist who wrote widely on the philosophy of aesthetics, education, history, law, political philosophy and religion. He is perhaps best known as a conservative political and social thinker.

• Preface to this edition Paul Franco; Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Experience and its modes; 3. Historical experience; 4. Scientific experience; 5. Practical experience; 6. Conclusion; Index.

'Mr Oakeshott's thesis … is so original, so important and so profound that criticism must be silent until his meaning has been long pondered … the chapter on history is the most penetrating analysis of historical thought that has ever been written … the whole book shows Mr Oakeshott to possess philosophical gifts of a very high order, coupled with an admirable command of language; his writing is as clear as his thought is profound, and all students of philosophy should be grateful to him for his brilliant contribution to philosophical literature.' R. G. Collingwood, The Cambridge Review