The idea within: a story of scholarly blossoming in the Amsterdam spring.

Relates an experience of a professor of political philosophy, working with systems theorist Gerard de Zeeuw in Amsterdam, Netherlands from 1977 to 2002. Information on the Problems of... Conference initiated by de Zeeuw; Impact of the professor's association with de Zeeuw on his academic career in the U.S.; Support given by de Zeeuw to the professor in studying altruism.