The Rationalists (History of Western Philosophy Series) [Paperback]

John Cottingham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192891901 | ISBN-13: 978-0192891907 | Publication Date: September 22, 1988

The seventeenth century saw a major revolution in our ways of thinking about such issues as the method appropriate to philosophy and science, the relation between mind and body, the nature of substance, and the place of humanity in nature. While not neglecting the lesser but still influential figures, such as Arnauld and Malebranche, John Cottingham focuses primarily on the three great "rationalists": Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz. He examines how they approached central problems of philosophy, and shows how closely their ideas are related, despite the radically different philosophical systems they produced. He not only places the major thinkers in their historical and philosophical contexts, but engages their ideas in a vigorously critical way, revealing their capacity to throw light on major philosophical topics that are still very much alive today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is a pedagogical need which this book fills very well: almost every university philosophy programme offers a course in second or third year in which Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz are treated together as a package....Because it is lucid, informative and brief many teachers would find it a helpful commentary to assign as secondary reading."--Teaching Philosophy

"A superb view of the main issues in Continental Rationalism....It would be an excellent supplement to primary sources. Well suited for undergraduates."--Alan Hart, University of Akron

"A clear, accurate, and very readable account of themes in the philosophies of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and others."--Willis Doney, Dartmouth College

"Given its limited aims the book is a real tour de force, and I myself should be tempted to use it as a base on which to structure an undergraduate course on the rationalists."--Canadian Philosophical Reviews

"Excellent choice of topics/materials covered. Well written. Should be required reading of all undergraduate philosophy majors."--Michael Goodman, Humboldt State University

About the Author

John Cottingham holds the Established Chair of Philosophy at the University of Reading.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 22, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192891901
• ISBN-13: 978-0192891907
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,198,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars best introduction, October 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rationalists (History of Western Philosophy Series) (Paperback)

This work appears to be the best introduction to rationalism as a 17th century school of thought. Beside presenting in a lucid and not oversimplified way the ideas of Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz, Cottingham situates them both in historical context and in the context of contemporary debates like those of philosophy of mind (certainly so far as we can expect from an introductory work). Oversimplification often harms books like those of the Opus series, so that it often ends up in a book without much content. Cottingham's might be the best in the series. There are some weaknesses in the Leibniz part. Otherwise best introduction.