The hedgehog and the fox

About “The hedgehog and the fox”

Isaiah Berlin's essay explores the contrast between two types of thinkers, using an ancient Greek saying about a fox and a hedgehog. The essay focuses on Leo Tolstoy and his philosophy of history, as discussed in the epilogue of War and Peace. Berlin uses the metaphor to describe how some people know many things, while others focus on one central idea. Tolstoy, according to Berlin, was a fox but believed in being a hedgehog. This essay is one of Berlin's most famous works, offering deep insights into Tolstoy and historical understanding. A new edition includes a revised text, translations of foreign passages, a foreword by Michael Ignatieff, and an appendix with additional context and interpretations.