The Western World as we know it today is largely a result of the social thinking of men sometimes tangled and twisted, sometimes straight and logical. In fact, nothing in our world is entirely untouched by man's social thinking. Though many contemporary ideologies may be understood without tracing their lineage, their roots lie in antiquity. A history of the ideas forming the basis of Western civilization, then such as the satisfying, accurate picture given in Western Social Thought is important for their thorough comprehension. It is a book pointing out that social thought has been philosophical, religious, or more recently scientific, according to the intellectual and historical climate. Excellent continuity of this chronological arrangement is gained through repeated references to interrelationship of topics in various sections. The central theme of sociology, economics and politics is developed in company with related subjects; education, psychology and religion.