The seventeenth century saw a fundamental shift in our ways of thinking about ourselves and the universe. The reassuring medieval view of an earth-centred cosmos designed expressly for the benefit of mankind had been steadily eroded; yet at the same time there emerged a new optimism about the possibility of developing a clear and comprehensive account of the workings of the universe, together with a determination to penetrate the nature of the human mind and its relation to the material world. Against this background John Cottingham traces the attempts of the three great rationalist philosophers - Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz - to come to terms with man's new role in nature and to devise new systems of philosophy that would provide a unified understanding of reality. He aims to show how closely their ideas are related, and analyses their ways of tackling such central issues as the relation between mind and body, the nature of substance, and the way to achieve a free and fulfilled Human life. He engages with their ideas in a vigorously critical way, and in so doing reveals their capacity to throw light on major philosophical topics which are still very much alive today.
The seventeenth century saw a fundamental shift in our ways of thinking about ourselves and the universe. The reassuring medieval view of an earth-centred cosmos designed expressly for the benefit of mankind had been steadily eroded; yet at the same time there emerged a new optimism about the possibility of developing a clear and comprehensive account of the workings of the universe, together with a determination to penetrate the nature of the human mind and its relation to the material world. Against this background John Cottingham traces the attempts of the three great rationalist philosophers - Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz - to come to terms with man's new role in nature and to devise new systems of philosophy that would provide a unified understanding of reality. He aims to show how closely their ideas are related, and analyses their ways of tackling such central issues as the relation between mind and body, the nature of substance, and the way to achieve a free and fulfilled Human life. He engages with their ideas in a vigorously critical way, and in so doing reveals their capacity to throw light on major philosophical topics which are still very much alive today.
1: Background
2: Method
3: Substance
4: Matter and Mind
5: Freedom and Morality
Notes; Reference List; Index
John Cottingham holds the Established Chair of Philosophy at the University of Reading.
`the whole book, gives a real sense of the three casts of mind, and
the remainder presents much of the active triangle in gratifying
depth and detail ... A reader can get from this work a strong taste
of the philosophical reality of the triangle, and a good idea of
how some of the main arguments go ... throughout the book, one is
grateful for the continuing sense of being in good hands ... I am
grateful for this book. I have learned from it, and so will
students, professional philosophers and motivated general
readers.'
Jonathan Bennett, Philosophy
`The result is outstandingly informative within a brief compass of
pages ... this is a commendable addition to an excellent
series.'
J.C.A. Gaskin, Expository Times
`An excellent survey for students.'
Dr E.J. Lowe, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Durham
`a first rate introduction to 17th Century Rationalism for
undergraduates.'
Dr S.J. Critchley, University of Essex
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