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Quentin Skinner

Quentin Skinner is a prominent political philosopher and historian known for his work on early modern political thought, particularly the writings of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context to interpret political ideas accurately. Skinner is a key figure in the "Cambridge School" of intellectual history, advocating for a method that focuses on the meanings of words and concepts as they were used by historical figures. His approach reshapes how we study political theory, highlighting the dynamic relationship between language, history, and ideology.