Pierre Bayle's Philosophical Commentary (American University Studies Series V, Philosophy) [Hardcover]

Amie Godman Tannenbaum (Author)

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Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 309 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820403474
• ISBN-13: 978-0820403472
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,752,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best philosophical argument for toleration ever made, November 9, 2002

By 

Mark Larrimore "larrimom" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pierre Bayle's Philosophical Commentary (American University Studies Series V, Philosophy) (Hardcover)

Pierre Bayle's argument for religious toleration is more comprehensive and arguably psychologically much deeper than John Locke's more well known work. Locke defines toleration in such a way that Catholics and atheists cannot and should not be tolerated, and contemporary Lockeian efforts which need to resist this implication start out with a limp they never quite lose. Bayle's case has no such limitations. Bayle also offers a far deeper appreciation of the drama of faith and scepticism than does Voltaire, author of another widely known work on toleration.
It is a great pity that Bayle's work is not more widely known or available. Bayle's arguments could add much to discussions of religious pluralism and its challenges.
A broader familiarity with this book would also balance out current scholarly interpretations of Bayle which overplay his sceptical toying with dualist arguments. Bayle's is a complex and perhaps unstable mix of scepticism and rationalism which mirrors well the demands and dilemmas of our own day.