The Fable of the bees and the Trealise of human nature

were written to define and dissect the essential

components of a « civil society ». How have early

readings of the Fable skewed our understanding

of the work and its author ? To what extent did

Mandeville's celebrated work influence that of

Hume ? In this pioneering book, Mikko Tolonen

extends current research at the intersection of

philosophy and publishing history by analysing

the two parts of the Fable in relation to the

development of the Treatise .

Focussing on the key themes of selfishness,

pride, justice and politeness, Tolonen traces the

evolution of Mandeville's thinking on human

nature and the origins of political society to

explore the relationship between his Fable and

Hume's Treatise . Through a close examination

of the publishing history of The Fable and

F. B. Kaye's seminal edition, Tolonen uncovers

hitherto overlooked differences between

Parts I and II to open up new approaches in

Mandeville scholarship. As the question of social

responsibility dominates the political agenda, the

legacy of these key Enlightenment philosophers

is as pertinent today as it was to our predecessors.