This reprint of the 1735 translated edition of the 1691 work De officio hominis et civis , in which the author expounds on his system of political ethics, adds three commentary essays by 18th-century political philosopher Jean Barbeyrac. Barbeyrac supports Pufendorf"s belief that political ethics should be based on humans" need for sociability, rather than on any religious prescriptions. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)