This classic book is Martin Hollis's influential rationalist account and exploration of human action and identity.

Martin Hollis (1938¿98) was a philosopher of the social sciences and game theory and is best known for his rationalism. He was Head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and eventually Pro-Vice-Chancellor until his death in 1998.

Preface to this edition Geoffrey Hawthorn; Preface; 1. Two models; Part I. Plastic Man: 2. Nature and nurture; 3. The regularity of the moral world; Part II. Autonomous Man: 4. Life's short comedy; 5. Personal identity and social identity; 6. Elements of action; Part III. Other Minds: 7. The rational and the real; 8. Ideal understanding; 9. Envoi: actor and context; Bibliography; Index of names.