Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles: Locke and Boyle on the External World (Hardcover)

by Peter Alexander (Author)

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Product Description
This study presents a substantial and often radical reinterpretation of some of the central themes of Locke's thought. Professor Alexander concentrates on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and aims to restore that to its proper historical context. In Part I he gives a clear exposition of some of the scientific theories of Robert Boyle, which, he argues, heavily influenced Locke in employing similar concepts and terminology. Against this background, he goes on in Part II to provide an account of Locke's views on the external world and our knowledge of it. He shows those views to be more consistent and plausible than is generally allowed, demonstrating how they make sense and enable scientific explanations of nature. In examining the views of Locke and Boyle together, the book throws new light both on the development of philosophy and the beginnings of modern science, and in particular it makes a considerable and original contribution to our understanding of Locke's philosophy.

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 26, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521267072
• ISBN-13: 978-0521267076
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
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• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,880,844 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
  
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