Philosophy, The Federalist, and the Constitution [Paperback]

Morton White (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195059484 | ISBN-13: 978-0195059489 | Publication Date: April 13, 1989

Here, Morton White presents the first synoptic view of the major philosophical ideas in The Federalist. Using the tools of philosophy and intellectual history, White extracts and examines the interlocking theory of knowledge, doctrine of normative ethics, psychology of motivation, and even metaphysics and theology, all of which were used in different degrees by the founding fathers in defense of the Constitution.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

On the eve of the 200th anniversary of The Federalist , Princeton philosopher White analyzes the arguments employed by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to rally support for ratification of the Constitution. Using the tools of philosophical analysis and intellectual history, he shows us that The Federalist was more than simply a political treatise; it contained a theory of knowledge, a doctrine of normative ethics, a psychology of motivation, and even some metaphysics and theology, much of it heavily influenced by Locke and Hume. Thoroughly researched and carefully argued, this is an important book on a document that may well have affected American history as profoundly as the Declaration of Independence. Recommended for academic libraries. Raymond Frey, Philosophy & Religion Dept., Montclair State Coll., Upper Montclair, N.J.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Exhibits a strong intellect at work on an important task: to determine the grounding, in terms of technical philosophy, of The Federalist. It is a formidable achievement of rich scholarship that is probably definitive."--American Historical Review

"[An] excellent book that offers a sophisticated presentation of the philosophy contained in The Federalist....All serious students of the early republic will find White's book another valuable, clearly written, illuminating contribution to understanding our past."--American Political Science Review

"We have waited two hundred years for someone to organize and clarify the philosophical ideas behind The Federalist Papers. Morton White's brilliant and illuminating reexamination of our greatest political treatise is ideal reading for the bicentennial year of the Constitution."--Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

"White has provided lawyers, historians, and political theorists with a valuable resource with which to appreciate the full range of Publius' wisdom."--Harvard Law Review

"Thoroughly researched and carefully argued, this is an important book."--Library Journal

"[White] fashions a philosophical analysis that is both substantial and convincing."--William and Mary Quarterly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 13, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195059484
• ISBN-13: 978-0195059489
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,938,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy, the Federalist, and the Constitution, March 14, 2002

By 

Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Philosophy, The Federalist, and the Constitution (Paperback)

Morton White's, Philosophy, The Federalist, and the Constitution is a classic work on how the Founding Fathers arrived on how they wanted their new nation's government to be established. From Publius's ideas on principles of natural rights which are tested by examining the relations between ideas, whereas statements asserting that firm and efficient government would be in the true interest of the people are tested by experience.

Humeian empiricism in politics and Lockeian rationalism in morals are also playing a part with their respective writings. After reading White's book you get a better feel and appreciation as to the ardous task the Founding Fathers had taken, establishing a government like none seen previous. The book is a valuable reference and is clearly written.

Impeccably written, grounding the reader in the terms of technical philosophy and rich scholarship, one has to appreciate this work as a valuable resource.

This book is brilliant and illuminating for the student examining the origins of the constitution.