Subject - Philosophy The mature thought of the political philosopher, Isaiah Berlin, is shot through with reflections on central human values and on humanness. But how does Berlin know they are central? And that the traits and limits of humanness are as he believes them to be? These questions are explored in this short, and accessible analysis. Considering insights of many kinds - political, metaphysical, and religious - a reading of Berlin's views is given which is surprising but shows them to be compelling, defensible, and of continuing importance. This book argues for an interpretation of Berlin's views that will interest students of politics, philosophy and religions, in particular Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism, although Berlin had no religious, confessional, beliefs as such.